Derby debacle in Favoriten

Results on Saturday meant that Rapid knew three points in Favoriten against bitter local rivals Austria wouldn't be enough to climb into the top half of the table before the winter break. That detail though didn't prevent the Green & Whites from going into the 328th Vienna derby with full motivation and the typical desperation to win bragging rights for the Green half of the capital. There were a few changes to the starting line up in the wake of Thursday's heroics against Rangers, with Max Hofmann missing out through injury and replaced by Christopher Dibon, and Potzmann, Schobesberger, Ljubicic and Deni Alar all coming into the side.

Both teams started the game with attacking intent, and both created chances within the opening 20 minutes: a solid strike from Schwab had Austria keeper Pentz scrambling (15), whilst at the other end Marvin Potzmann did well to block a shot from Monschein (18.). Rapid mustered another shot on target from Schobesberger (19.), but it was the home side that broke the deadlock: Violets' centre back Schoissengeyr got on the end of a deep free kick and beat Strebinger with a powerful header - 1:0 (22.). But - in what was to become a misleadingly positive response - Rapid hit back almost immediately when Potzmann received the ball in an attacking position, beat Madl with a clever piece of skill, and drove past Pentz to level the game - 1:1 (29.). The Green & Whites were briefly on top after the goal, but that was to prove short lived.

In the minutes leading up to half time, Rapid crumbled, falling apart in a manner unthinkable on such an occasion: Ljubicic ended an Austria counter attack by upending Edomwonyi, whether or not he was the last man was debatable, but he was shown a straight red card regardless (33.). From the resulting free kick, Strebinger pushed Madl’s shot onto the post, the rebound fell at the feet of Jeggo who buried the simple chance - 2:1 (35.). Just two minutes later things went from bad to worse, when Monschein chipped Strebinger to put Austria two goals ahead (37.), before Selbinger nearly added a fourth but shot just wide of the far post. Remarkably, the next goal did arrive before the break when Florian Klein whipped a shot into the corner to make it 4:1 at half time (42.). An incredible capitulation.

Veton Berisha and Manuel Martic were thrown on by Didi Kühbauer as Rapid sought to limit the damage and salvage some self-respect, but Austria were soon on top again and creating further chances. Monschein shot wide (52.) before Klein missed a simple chance one-on-one with Strebinger to really put Rapid to the sword (55.). Another goal did duly arrive, and it came via the boot of a Rapid player when Barac put through his own net when trying to deal with a Prokop cross - 5:1 (58.). Kühbauer's side attempted to maintain shape and stability, but right up until the final whistle it looked as though Austria could add to their tally at any time.

With ten minutes to go it was little surprise when Turgeman made it 6:1 with a header (80.), and it was a great relief when the final whistle went without further embarrassment being heaped upon the well-beaten Hütteldorfers. It was a particularly painful afternoon and a harsh come down after Thursday's pulsating win over Rangers, that will leave an awful taste in the mouth over the winter hibernation.

(gw)