Zoran Barisic was forced to shuffle his pack somewhat for Sunday's clash with bitter rivals Austria Vienna. With Terrence Boyd and Dominik Wydra were both unavailable for selection, Barisic opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Schaub coming into the side in attack, whilst Brian Behrendt stepped into Wydra's role in defensive midfield. Deni Alar and Branko Boskovic had to make do with places on the bench.With so much anticipation surrounding the game, and with the prize of European football added into the equation, it didn't come as a huge surprise when the opening stages of the game proved to be a cagey affair. A wayward long range effort from Brian Behrendt (17.) represented the first shot on goal for Rapid, as both sides laboured somewhat in the heavy conditions at the Generali arena. The tempo began to rise around the half hour mark, as a few full blooded tackles drew a reaction from the crowd, but chances remained at a premium. Good link up play involving Sabitzer and derby veteran Steffen Hofmann saw the ball worked across the pitch and to the far side of the penalty area, where Guido Burgstaller's side footed volley tested Violets goalie Heinz Lindner for the first time in the match (39.). Burgstaller then nearly turned provider, flashing a hard, flat ball across the six yard box for Louis Schaub, who managed to get his head on the ball but couldn’t turn it goal wards (41.). Jan Novota got his hands on the ball for the first time as the game entered first half stoppage time, when he easily dealt with a weak effort from Royer (45.).The second half was also slow to ignite the first ten minutes being played out largely in the same pattern as the first half. A fifty-sixth minute corner taken by Schaub provided the first moment of danger in the second period, as Sabitzer got a good flick on into a dangerous area but unfortunately no-one was on hand to capitalise. A weak shot from Ola Kamara (57.) was the hosts' first meaningful action of the half, but the attempt was followed by a sustained period of pressure by Rapid on the Austria goal that finally lead to the breakthrough. A Thanos Petsos long shot was deflected behind for a corner, and from the resulting set piece Christopher Trimmel caused chaos at the back post, Heinz Lindner eventually palming the ball behind for another corner (63.). With Austria now well and truly camped out in their own penalty area Rapid fashioned the first clear cut opportunity of the game: a smart cut back from substitute Alar (on for Schaub) found Steffen Hofmann well inside the penalty area. The Rapid skipper got the ball stuck under his feet somewhat, attempted to shift it onto his left foot, a weak effort followed and the chance was gone (65.). However, the Hütteldorfers could sense their opponents defence was showing signs of cracking under the strain, and they continued to ramp up the pressure. It looked like the period of pressure would come to nothing when Deni Alar somehow failed to connect with a low cross from Guido Burgstaller with the goal at his mercy, but the Green & Whites did well to recycle possession: Steffen Hofmann played a short ball into Marcel Sabitzer, who managed to get through two tackles before hammering the ball past the advancing Lindner at the near post with his left foot - 1:0 Rapid (66.)!The goal was just rewards for an excellent period of football from Rapid, but all the hard work was nearly undone just a minute later when a mix up between Dibon, Sonnleitner and Novota almost allowed Hosiner to steal in (67.). With the onus now on Austria to take the game to Rapid the expected onslaught from the hosts materialised to a degree, but an organised Huetteldorfer defence looked solid and up to the challenge. A Phillip Hosiner goal was correctly disallowed for handball (72.), and this would be as close as the Violets would come to forcing an equaliser. At the other end of the pitch, Rapid were expertly making use of the extra space in the attacking third: Lukas Grozurek played in fellow substitute Deni Alar on goal, who struck the base of the post with a delicate curling finish (81.). A goal then would have killed the game off for Rapid, who were nearly punished just a minute later: a slip from Dibon presented de Paula with a presentable opportunity, but the Austria man dragged his disappointing effort wide of the post (82.). In the later stages of the match the home side resulted to throwing long balls into the Rapid box, which Novota and his defence dealt with. Not even the soft dismissal of Guido Burgstaller (two yellow cards) could spark a lacklustre Austria Vienna into a meaningful attacking threat.The final whistle blew and confirmed a thoroughly deserved derby victory for Rapid, who have now won three on the trot against Austria, including the last two in Favoriten. The impressive stats keep coming for Zoran Barisic's side who have now won their last five games without conceding a single goal in the process. In the bigger picture the win was also crucial in the race for second place: the victory opens up a five point gap for second place Rapid back to Austria in third. It was a perfect day for Green & White fans who can now enjoy their Sunday afternoon safe in the knowledge their team has secured the Monday morning bragging rights in the city. Rapid!tipp3-Bundesliga, 31. RoundFK Austria - SK Rapid 0:1 (0:0)Generali Arena, 12.500 Attendance, Referee Lechner.Goal: 0:1 Sabitzer (66.)FK Austria: Lindner - Ramsebner (88. Jun), Rotpuller, Ortlechner (53. Kamara) - F. Koch, Gorgon, Royer (78. Salamon), Suttner - De Paula, Horvath - HosinerSK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Schrammel - Petsos, Behrendt - S. Hofmann (86. Boskovic), Schaub (60. Alar), Sabitzer (79. Grozurek) - BurgstallerYellow Cards: Ortlechner, Rotpuller, RamsebnerYellow/Red Card: Burgstaller (87.) (gw)
07.04.2014