Solid performance earns comfortable derby victory

The 317th installment of the Vienna derby on Sunday represented the perfect opportunity for Rapid to put to bed a five match winless streak. Over 26,000 fans were in attendance in the Ernst-Happel-Stadium, demanding passion, full commitment, attacking football and three points against the Violets from Favoriten. And, as the game got underway, it became evident that the Huetteldorfers were in the mood to deliver exactly what the crowd was looking for. In the warm spring sunshine Zoran Barisic elected to show faith in Spanish striker Tomi, who did not disappoint when called upon last time out in Wolfsberg. With Stefan Stangl out for the rest of the season, Stephan Auer came in at left back; with Mario Pavelic returning to fitness in time to reclaim the right back berth.

Rapid quickly found their rhythm and began fashioning sights of goal: Stefan Schwab's semi-speculative effort from distance represented the first effort of the match (2.); whilst the same player came much closer with another effort from distance just over ten minutes later (13.). The Green & Whites were the side producing the flair football, underlined by an attractive move that saw Tomi chest a cross from Auer back to the waiting Flo Kainz, who struck a rasping first time volley that flew just inches wide of the post (14.). Rapid skipper Steffen Hofmann also got in on the act, firing just over with a left footed effort from a decent position (21.). The final - and best - chance of the half fell to Schwab, who could only find the side netting at the near post after being slipped into the box following more flowing football (44.). It was a half to forget for the guests, who were unable to register a meaningful shot on target during the first forty-five minutes. More of the same in the second half would surely see Rapid emerge victorious.

The first action of the second period arrived courtesy of Mario Pavelic, who burst down the right flank, getting to the by-line and pulling a teasing low cross across the Austria goalmouth. The ball eventually found its way to Auer on the opposite side of the box, where the full back shifted the ball onto his right foot before curling a beautiful effort onto the crossbar (49.)! Again it was Rapid who were doing all the pressing, but they still had nothing to show for their efforts. Suddenly out of the blue Richard Strebinger was called into action to prevent the Violets grabbing an unmerited goal, as he firstly kept out a shot from Meilinger, before scrambling to deny Gorgon on the follow up (53.). It was a crucial intervention from Strebinger, and just five minutes later it was Rapid who were celebrating taking the lead: industrious pressing from Louis Schaub in the final third saw the forward block an attempted clearance, with the ball dropping perfectly for Tomi, who confidently swept the ball into the net to finally break the visitors' resistance - 1:0 (58.)! Rapid finally had the lead their football had richly merited.

The goal didn't really precipitate any great reaction from Austria, with Rapid and the Green & White fans continuing to call the tune both on the pitch and in the stands. Zoran Barisic turned to his bench to ensure that the high intensity football on offer didn't drop down any gears, as fresh legs in the shape of Matej Jelic, Philipp Schobesberger and Stefan Nutz were introduced. It was Jelic who had the next chance to bury Austria, but he dragged his shot just wide from a tight angle (76.). In the closing stages of the match the Huetteldorfers had a couple of opportunities on the counter, but nothing came to fruition. In the end they were happy to settle for a comfortable 1:0 derby day victory. The win was Rapid’s third this season over their arch rivals, and moves us a healthy eight points clear of third place.

(gw)