Easter Salvation: 3:0 victory against Altach

An unwanted record stood within Rapid's grasp ahead of the weekend's clash with Altach: if the Green & Whites should fail to win again the winless streak would represent the longest barren run in the club's long and distinguished history. But under the tutelage of interim management duo Gogo Djuricin and Martin Bernhard a rejuvenated Hütteldorfer outfit brushed aside their high-flying opponents and swept to a deserved 3:0 win to banish all talk of negative records. In their first outing since parting company with Damir Canadi, Rapid took to the field in a 4-2-3-1 system with the likes of Steffen Hofmann returning to the starting line-up. Max Wöber came in for Mario Sonnleitner who, as expected, missed out after picking up a head injury against Ried. "One for all, all for Rapid" read the banner displayed by the Block West as the crowd in the Allianz Stadium rallied to support their team in their current difficult predicament.

Max Wöber was on his toes early on, as the young defender deflected a dangerous looking free-kick away from the target in the match's first goalmouth action (5.). Just minutes later the storm clouds that had been gathering above Hütteldorf since Christmas began to dissipate: Stefan Schwab moved the ball on to Thomas Schrammel, who crossed the ball into Stephan Auer. Auer's angled low shot was brilliantly stopped by Lukse in the Altach goal, with the rebound falling kindly for the alert Mario Pavelic, who deftly picked out Steffen Hofmann in the middle of the box. The long-serving Rapid legend made no mistake, burying the chance to spark wild celebrations around Penzing, not least from the mercurial Rapid talisman himself - 1:0 (9.)!

During the week Djuricin had emphasised the need for Rapid to start enjoying their football again. And after taking the early lead it was clear from the Green & Whites spritely combinations and attractive passing moves that the players had taken his words to heart and confidence was flowing back through Rapid veins. Pressure continued to be exerted upon the visitors' goal, with Christopher Dibon having a goal ruled out for offside; Joelinton having a dangerous looking effort blocked; and Thomas Murg weighing in with a stinging long-range drive (26.). It seemed only a matter of time before a second goal arrived. And, shortly before the half hour mark, it duly did: a mazy run from Joelinton took the Brazilian deep into the penalty area where he was upended by a mistimed challenge. Steffen Hofmann took over spot-kick duties and calmly stroked home his 127^th goal in competitive football for the club - 2:0 (29.). At the other end of the pitch there was little to do for Knoflach in the Rapid goal; on the stroke of half time Ngamaleu could’ve threatened to get on the score sheet but failed to get the ball under control at the crucial moment.

The second half saw Rapid continue where they had left off, with the Hütteldorfers refusing to concede an inch to a struggling Altach. Tamas Szanto had the first of the clear-cut chances in the second period, but dragged his effort wide of the far post (62.). Thomas Murg then produced a moment of magic as he jinked past two defenders before testing Lukse with a shot into the far corner (63.). By this point man of the moment Steffen Hofmann had left the pitch to be replaced by Philipp Malicsek.

As the half wore on it became clear that Altach didn’t have it within them to peg back a buoyant Rapid. Substitute Giorgi Kvilitaia desperately tried to get himself in on the goals, but again Lukse proved to be one Altach player on form, as he fished out the Rapid man's header and clawed the ball to safety (84.). As the game moved beyond the ninety minute mark there was still time for Rapid to add some gloss to the victory: a high ball into the box was met by Kvilitaia and laid off to Malicsek who hammered a rasping drive past a helpless Lukse - 3:0 (92.). The whistle went and cheers rang out around the stadium as Rapid and their supporters finally recorded a victory in 2017! RAPID!!!!

(gw)