A first Rapid goal for Filip Stojkovic provides three welcome points!
Bundesliga, we welcomed SCR Altach all the way from Vorarlberg - for what appears to be the last time this year with spectators allowed, so of course, goosebumps were to be expected. Under our interim coaching duo Thomas Hickersberger and Steffen Hofmann, we wanted to celebrate a special occasion and also get three points. The stage was set for the Rapid spirit and emotions to come to the fore both on the field and in the stands.
The first line-up from the new interim duo in the dugouts was eagerly awaited: Paul Gartler was again in place, guarding the Rapid goal; Max Ullmann, Martin Moormann, Emanuel Aiwu and Filip Stojkovic were in front of him in defence; Robert Ljubicic and our current captain Srdjan Grahovac played in the defensive midfield; Marco Grüll, Christoph Knasmüllner and Taxi Fountas were the attacking midfield trio, behind Ercan Kara who started up front.
We started the game by applying a lot of pressure, and our team created the first real chance right from the opening move of the match: Fountas broke through into the penalty area, saw his first attempt foiled by the goalkeeper, before Grüll had a go with his head afterwards, and then Kara lifted the ball just over the top with the third early effort (1’). Our number 9 had the next chance as well, but his shot from distance was just pushed away past the post (14’). The ball was being moved well within our own ranks, but the decisive finish was missing. In the 25th minute, Kara struck a shot over the bar, before youngster Moormann had to make a vital block on the line in front of the Green & White goal ten minutes later. Shortly before the break Ljubicic put in a dangerous cross, and agonisingly, Kara could not quite get on the end of it (41’). Our team had certainly created a few chances to score, but the final decisive touch was unfortunately nowhere to be found in the first half - meaning that we went into the dressing room with the game still goalless.
Stojkovic’s goal was not only the match-winner, but his first goal in Green & White! © GEPA
The second half could not have started better from our point of view: Fountas played his part with a perfect deep pass into the path of Stojkovic, who brought the ball under control excellently before steering it superbly in at the far corner - GOAL! 1-0 (47’)! There it was, the alll-important opening goal and the first goal from our number 22 in his 80th match for Rapid! Only three minutes later we almost doubled the lead too, as Kara put a powerful shot just over the top of Casali’s goal (51’).
In the 55th minute the game had to be briefly paused for a VAR review, as an Altacher collided with Gartler's knee with studs showing - not a pretty sight. In the end, the decision reached was a deserved red card. With a man advantage on the pitch, the game should have been fully in our control from here on in! Soon after, Fountas had a shot, but the crossbar denied him just before any celebrations began (58’). In the 65th minute, the ever industrious Fountas crossed the ball well, but Knasmüllner's header was too centrally placed. Thierno Ballo replaced Marco Grüll in the 69th minute, Petrovic came on for Ljubicic and Arase for Fountas in the 76th minute.
With five minutes remaining Ballo was fouled in the penalty area, and we were awarded a spot kick. It was a great chance to kill off the game, but alas Kara failed to score after a good stop by the Altach keeper, diving low to his left (86’). Then came a double change in the 87th minute: Auer came on for Ullmann and Marko Dijakovic replaced Moormann to celebrate his professional debut in Rapid colours. With only a 1-0 lead to sit on, thankfully that was to be the last notable moment of the match, and after 95 minutes a narrow home victory was sealed!
A hard-fought game was over, bur most importantly it was one that we were all able to celebrate in the end - a great feeling! However, there is not much time to enjoy it and drink it in for any of us, because as soon as this Thursday, West Ham will be providing tough opposition in the UEFA Europa League group stage in Hütteldorf. We are looking forward to your support from home, we’ll remain united by the passion in our Green & White hearts! Until then - bravo lads, and stay healthy!
Fotos: GEPA