Rapid went into Saturday's match against basement boys Wiener Neustadt knowing that anything less than a victory would constitute failure. Having failed to win in their last three, it was imperative that Zoran Barisic's side got back to winning ways and re-gained some confidence with difficult away trips to WAC and RB Salzburg lurking around the corner. And his side did just that. The 12.300 strong crowd in the Ernst-Happel-Stadium were treated to an energetic and fluid performance from a hungry Hütteldorfer eleven.Pressing tactics yield resultsBarisic's demands on the players were clear from the get go, as Rapid set about playing a high tempo game, pressing the Wiener Neustadt back line high up the pitch and looking to apply quick pressure on the guests' midfielders. Understandably, the lowly visitors were looking to sit deep, keep it tight and get the ball forwards quickly to ex-Rapid man Stefan Maierhofer in attack. It didn't take long for the Green & Whites pressing to pay dividends: as early as the 4th minute Neustadt defender Mimm was put under pressure and forced into a mistake which was seized upon by Louis Schaub. Just as Schaub went to pull the trigger, Mimm atoned for his error, getting in a desperate last ditch tackle. The warning signs were there however for the visitors, and these went unheeded: more pressing from Rapid resulted in a turnover of possession in the Wiener Neustadt defensive third, and Steffen Hofmann took over, playing a delicious left footed ball into the penalty area to the unmarked Kainz, who controlled beautifully before slotting home a composed right footed finish - 1:0 (13.)!With the goal came a calmness and confidence into Rapid's play, and the captain himself, so often the creator this season, nearly scored with a header he directed just wide after getting on the end of a Kainz cross (27.). The guests managed to create one good opportunity of their own, but Osman Ali elected to go for a shot at the near post that was dealt with by Jan Novota, when a square pass to the unmarked Maierhofer could've yielded rich rewards. It got worse for the visitors when Daniel Schöpf was dismissed for a cynical foul on Steffen Hofmann just before the break. It was a petulant rake down the achilles that certainly merited an early dismissal. Rapid would now have the chance to push home their advantage in the second half against a numerically inferior opponent.Second half goals confirm gulf between the sidesHaving been on the receiving end of Schöpf's frustration, Steffen Hofmann failed to emerge for the start of the second half, replaced by Deni Alar. Despite the loss of the captain, Rapid continued playing in the same manner as during the first forty-five and Wiener Neustadt were still short of an answer. Alar played in Schaub not long after the restart, but keeper Vollnhofer came out on top (50.). Chances continued to present themselves and it appeared just a matter of time until the killer second arrived, which it duly did: tricky wing play from the impressive Kainz earned the winger a couple of yards to cross, and he perfectly picked out Beric at the back post, who calmly volleyed home a from the edge of the six yard box to all but kill off the game - 2:0 (72.). A few minutes later Beric added some deserved gloss to the scoreline: a corner from Alar took a couple of deflections and was rolling towards the Neustadt goal, with some quick thinking Beric helped it on its way with a cheeky back-heel that beat Vollnhofer all ends up and confirmed an excellent victory for Rapid - 3:0 (78.) and game over.Trainer Zoran Barisic: "We got into the game straight away. Between the first and the second gaols i'd have like to have seen us spray the ball about a bit more to create more space down the flanks. We gave up very little at the back. This match was an important step but there is still plenty of work to do."tipico Bundesliga, Match day 17 SK Rapid - SC Wr. Neustadt 3:0 (1:0)Ernst-Happel-Stadion, 12.300, Ref OuschanGoals: 1:0 (13.) F. Kainz, 2:0 (72.) Beric, 3:0 (78.) BericSK Rapid: Novota - Schrammel, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Stangl - Petsos, Schwab (79. Wydra) - Schaub, S. Hofmann (46. Alar), F. Kainz (86. Schobesberger) - BericWr. Neustadt: Vollnhofer - Pollhammer , Mimm , Sereinig, Denner - Osman Ali (81. Ranftl), Freitag, O’Brien, Schöpf - Rauter (65. Tieber) - Maierhofer (70. Maderner) Yellow cards: S. Hofmann, Beric Maierhofer, Osman Ali, FreitagRed card: Schöpf (43.)(gw)
30.11.2014