Without the services of first team regulars such as Christopher Trimmel, Thanos Petsos and Terrence Boyd, Rapid hosted Admira in Hütteldorf on Saturday evening. Michael Schimpelsberger returned to the starting line up at right following his recent injury lay off - a timely boost given the absence of vice-Captain Trimmel. Rapid were looking for their fifth victory in a row following derby heroics last time out, unfortunately the three points on this occasion were to remain elusive.Fast start in a high tempo contestThe game began in promising fashion: Marcel Sabitzer showed lightning reactions to latch onto a high ball, stealing in between the Admira centre backs and guiding a sweetly struck volley towards the goal that was deflected off the line (2.). With Bundesliga safety assured, the guests from the South City looked to press forward, using every opportunity to break and get bodies up the pitch and with plenty of attacking talent in their ranks, the away side posed a constant threat to the Rapid defence. The Green & Whites looked to create chances through a brand of football particularly pleasing on the eye, with Branko Boskovic orchestrating the efforts from the middle of the park in an eye catching display.The next big opportunity fell to Louis Schaub: Deni Alar crossed low into the area for the intrepid number ten, who just failed to bring the ball properly under control before firing over the bar from an inviting position (17.). Alar (27.) and Sonnleitner (30.) then went close as Rapid edged nearer towards a goal that seemed to be in the offing. The breakthrough looked like it had arrived when Sabitzer diverted the ball towards goal, but his clever attempt went just wide (37.). Injury then forced Christopher Dibon from the field of play, Thanos Petsos was sent on as cover. The last chance of the half went the way of the guests: a close range effort from Schicker looked menacing but was deflected away by committed defending by the Rapid rearguard.Chances to seal victory at both endsThe 15,500 strong crowd witnessed a second half in which Rapid's efforts and good football continued to go unrewarded: Mario Sonnleitner broke up play, fed Steffen Hofmann and led the charge himself, sprinting the length of the pitch and getting on the end of the skipper's cross, heading the chance just wide (52.). Both teams lost their way a little bit in the middle phase of the half, with the goalmouth action largely drying up. With fifteen minutes of the game left Rapid shifted into another gear and ramped up the pressure on the guests, but not before Toth struck the crossbar with a free kick for Admira (76.). The Hanappi let out a second collective sigh of relief when goalie Jan Novota came out on top in a one-on-one duel with Schick (82.). But the last gaping chance of an enthralling match went to the Green & Whites: a cross from Schrammel was met by Alar who was denied by a spectacular stop from Kuttin who was already falling backwards when he made his crucial intervention (90.).Both teams had to settle for a point, that on the balance of play was probably a fair result. Next week sees the team travel to Salzburg for a fixture with SV Groedig. A victory for Barisic's team would all but eliminate one of the contenders for second spot in the tipp3 Bundesliga.tipp3-Bundesliga, Match Day 32: SK Rapid - FC Admira Wacker 0:0 Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, 15.500 Attendance, Ref HarkamSK Rapid: Novota - Schimpelsberger (73. Trimmel), Sonnleitner, Dibon (40. Petsos), Schrammel - Boskovic, Behrendt - Schaub, S. Hofmann (65. Boyd), Sabitzer - AlarAdmira: Kuttin - Auer, Windbichler, Katzer, Wessely - Ebner (58. Burusic), D. Toth - Sax (76. Domoraud), Schwab, Schick - R. Schicker (65. B. Sulimani)(gw)
15.04.2014