4:1!! Green & White nightmare for the Violets

The third round of the tipico Bundesliga threw up the first Vienna derby of the season. Rapid made the familiar journey back across the city to the Prater to take on Austria Vienna in the Ernst-Happel-Stadium - a familiar setting for the Rapid players and staff that had housed the Hütteldorfers whilst their new Allianz Stadium had been under construction. In attendance were 15,270 fans, many of whom were donning the Green & White of Rapid.

Trainer Mike Büskens' line up included a starting birth for Tamas Szanto in the number 10 role, with Louis Schaub and Arnor Traustason on either side of him making up the attacking trio behind striker Joelinton. Thomas Murg was unavailable for selection after coming down ill shortly before teams were announced. Despite both sides having played in international competition during the week, the early exchanges were meted out in a high intensity, high tempo contest. Joelinton and Kayode had the first sights of goal for their respective clubs, but got the timing of their runs just wrong and were flagged offside whilst in dangerous positions. Stefan Schwab then got in the act for Rapid, hammering a shot onto the crossbar as the Hütteldorfers eyed an early lead.

Rapid began to look more and more comfortable as they eased their way into the match, with captain for the day Stefan Schwab finding Traustason, who unleashed a shot that was deflected over the crossbar (12.). The battling Mario Pavelic's pure determination saw him win the ball just outside the Austria penalty area, before firing a stinging drive just inches wide of the post (25.). The Green & Whites were beginning to slip into a composed brand of stylish passing football that took the ball all round the pitch, leaving Austria largely chasing shadows and Rapid chasing the lead. Büskens' side’s football merited a goal and a goal duly arrived: Louis Schaub found Traustason with a square ball on the edge of the area, who guided a powerful side footed finish into the right hand top corner of the net - 1:0 (33.)! Traustason's joy was short lived however, as after colliding with Kayode the Iceland international was forced out of the game with a suspected knee injury. A full diagnosis will follow.

His replacement, Philipp Schobesberger, had a fantastic opportunity to double Rapid's advantage just minutes after the restart, but when bearing down one-on-one with Austria keeper Almer it was the goalie who came out on top, keeping out Schobesberger's effort with his foot (49.). With Rapid taking the game by the throat, Joelinton headed over after meeting a cross from Thomas Schrammel: It seemed only a matter of time before Austria's withering resistance would again buckle (57.). Then, a horror moment for Jan Novota allowed the struggling hosts back into the game. After coming off his line to meet a long ball, Novota misjudged the bounce, with the ball going over his head and allowing Kayode to tap into an empty net – 1:1 (62.). Rather than allowing heads to drop though, the Green & Whites dusted themselves down and re-took the lead virtually from the re-start: A delicious cross from the left flank from Thomas Schrammel found Louis Schaub, who controlled his low volley beautifully, steering the ball beyond Almer with his left foot to ignite wild celebrations amongst the Rapid fans - 1:2 (65.)!!

With Rapid continuing to play measured passing football, a panicky Austria sought to try and get back into the match, but the holes they were leaving at the back were ruthlessly exposed by an efficient Rapid attacking machine. After turning over possession Austria's defence seemingly melted away, leaving Schobesberger running through on goal before unselfishly squaring to Srdjan Grahovac to tap in and make the points safe – 3:1 (87.)! There was still time for more icing on the cake as Schobesberger again burst through the porous Austria defence before squaring this time to Joelinton, who made no mistake as he rolled the ball into the empty net to chalk up Rapid's fourth of the day in injury time!

The win represents a third derby success on the trot, and was the perfect way to cap a busy week after the Green & White's Europa League exertions on Thursday.

(gw)