A hardy band of 9,700 fans braved the wintery conditions in the Ernst-Happel-Stadium on Saturday to watch an attractive friendly offering: Germans Schalke 04 were in Hütteldorf to participate in a hastily arranged fixture made possible by Rapid Sporting Director Andreas Müller's strong relationship with his ex-club. The game represented the chance for some fine tuning for Schalke, for whom Bundesliga resumes next week. Rapid, by contrast, were rounding off a domestic friendly programme before heading to warmer climes in the shape of a training camp in Belek next week.Strong Schalke side take the leadThe early attacking momentum belonged to the Green & Whites: an effort from Florian Kainz went just the wrong side of the upright (14.), whilst Schalke keeper Giefer was forced into a save by Mario Pavelic after failing to deal with a cross into the box (19.). It was against the run of play that Schalke stole ahead, Austrian ex-pat Christian Fuchs lashing home after Rapid had failed to properly clear their lines - 0:1 (27.). The Hütteldorfers brushed off the set back though and continued to play good passing football, which almost yielded a first half equaliser: a pin point pass from Stefan Schwab played Robert Beric in on goal, but the Slovene came out second best against the outrushing Giefer (38.).  Second half show from RapidThe second half was ushered in with a high quality Rapid equaliser: superb build up play from Dominik Wydra laid on a glorious chance for Philipp Schobesberger, who beat Giefer to level proceedings - 1:1 (48.). Just minutes later a sharp effort from Beric nearly completed the turn around (50.), before Schobesberger went looking for a second, firing a shot inches wide of the post (52.) as the Green & Whites began to turn the screw. Schalke looked to regain the lead through shots from Sane (64.) and Sam (72.), but it was Rapid who managed to conjure a winner: superb build up play was again the key, as great work from Dominik Starkl set up Deni Alar, who guided the ball into the top corner - 2:1 (82.).Little more came by way of chances for either side in the remaining minutes, meaning Rapid claimed confidence building win. The second half performance in particular will have pleased Zoran Barisic and his troops, who now move onto the next phase of their preparations in Belek.Friendly:SK Rapid - FC Schalke 04 2:1 (0:1)Ernst-Happel-Stadium, 9.700 AttendanceGoals: 0:1 Fuchs (27.), 1:1 Schobesberger (48.), 2:1 Alar (82.)SK Rapid: Maric (66. Knoflach) Pavelic (46. Weinwurm), Sonnleitner (66. Prosenik), M. Hofmann, Schrammel (46. Stangl) Schwab (46. Wydra), Grahovac (87. Schoissengeyr) S. Hofmann (46. Alar), Schaub (46. Kuen), Kainz (46. Schobesberger) Beric (66. Starkl)FC Schalke 04: Giefer (77. Wellenreuther) Höwedes (77. Santana), Kirchhoff (77. Matip), Nastasic Uchida, Höger (77. Barnetta), Neustädter, Fuchs (84. Borgmann) Meyer Huntelaar (46. Sane), Boateng (59. Sam)(gw)
27.01.2015