Much-changed Rapid lose by odd-goal to Altach

With the top two places in the qualification group already decided, Rapid's last game of the regular season at home to SCR Altach was something of a dead-rubber affair. Head Coach Didi Kühbauer had already made clear in the build-up to the match his intention to rotate his pack ahead of this Tuesday's crunch encounter with SV Mattersburg. In comparison to the last league match, there were no fewer than 11 changes to the starting line-up! Youngster Patrick Obermüller found himself promoted from the reserves and straight into the team, whilst there was also a place for Kelvin Arase following his recall from a loan stint at SV Horn. Nicholas Wunsch was also promoted from the reserves and took a place on the bench alongside a host of first team stars, all rested ahead of Tuesday’s vital play-off.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the unfamiliar line-up, the Hütteldorfers struggled to find much by way of a rhythm during the first half, with Altach also struggling to put any flowing moves together. The main action of the first half saw the unfortunate Marvin Potzmann forced off with an injury, after the Rapid utility man was unable to continue following an aerial duel. Mert Müldür was sent on in his stead.

There was more goalmouth action for the fans in the stands to get excited about in the second period, although few in attendance would've celebrated the opener: Mergim Berisha beat keeper Tobias Knoflach with a free-kick from just outside the box to give Altach a 0:1 lead (53.). The Vorarlberg side, buoyed by the goal, went in search of another, and doubled their lead just after the hour mark: A deep diagonal cross found the unmarked Fischer, who had plenty of time to compose himself before scoring with a simple finish - 0:2 (62.). 

There was a great moment then for Nicholas Wunsch, who came onto the field for his debut in place of Manuel Thurnwald. And it was Wunsch who directly helped get the Green & Whites back into the game, when he was felled in the penalty area after collecting a slid-rule pass from Arase. Andrija Pavlovic's initial penalty was saved, but the Serb kept his cool, tapping in the rebound - 1:2 (74.). The Hütteldorfers failed to find an equaliser during the Rapid Viertelstunde, but the three points against Altach were not what anyone had in mind: the big-hitters had had a rest and will now be fighting fit for the visit of Mattersburg on Tuesday in the play-off.

(gw)