Explosive Encounter Ends Level Against Sturm

After an eventful 3-3 home draw against WAC a week ago, this Sunday saw a clash of two traditional Bundesliga rivals Rapid & Sturm on the agenda in Hütteldorf. For matchday eight of the new season, Rapid were without Terence Kongolo (suspended), the injured Guido Burgstaller, Thorsten Schick, Nenad Cvetković and Aleksa Pejić, and Thierry Gale (not match fit). Unfortunately, Roman Kerschbaum was also absent after coming off in the last game, with Moritz Oswald replacing him in the starting lineup. Led by captain Maximilian Hofmann, Zoran Barišić’s team wanted to pick up some precious points and start climbing the league table again.

The opening phase was characterised by a constant back and forth battle, as both teams wanted to put their stamp on the game. Through the hotly contested opening minutes, no one made it decisively into the opposition penalty area, only Nicolas Kühn managed to break down the side, but his eventual cross found no recipient in the middle (9’). The next offensive action came after a long ball from Leo Querfeld, Jonas Auer took aim from range, opting for technique rather than raw power, but his shot ended up off-target (19’). Two minutes later, the Allianz Stadium was rocking though; Marco Grüll was found in space on the left and could play the ball back to Matthias Seidl, his shot was blocked, but as Fally Mayulu went in for the rebound, the ball was pushed over the line by Sturm’s David Schnegg for an own goal, 1-0 (21’)! However, the joy was unfortunately short lived, because just five minutes later the Grazers equalized when Alexander Prass fired in from the edge of the box, 1-1 (26’). Ten minutes later, Nic Kühn again proved his speed, a high ball in was aimed for Moritz Oswald, and his volley was ultimately blocked by the away defence (35’). Another good cross from Marco Grüll was also dealt with by Sturm’s defenders (42’), but they had been kept the busier in the first half. After a heated 45 minutes in which our team fought for every inch of turf, we went into the dressing room level at 1-1.

With no changes in personnel, our team returned to the field and continued their determined performance in the second half. Jonas Auer was denied from distance (51’) and after an excellent combination of Moritz Oswald and Marco Grüll, Matthias Seidl pushed his shot past the post (52’). The game was getting tense at that point, but it had to be interrupted first because of bad visibility, and then because of a foul on Nana Kasanwirjo (55’). After a Graz free kick, luck was then on our side and only a well-placed foot prevented the next goal (69’), before Niki Hedl also had to prove himself with a strong save at his near post (70’). Almost in turn came our reply, but in the end Matthias Seidl lashed the ball just off target again after a beautiful combination (71’).

At the beginning of the Rapid quarter hour came our biggest chance in the game so far: Nic Kühn broke away behind the defence with Fally Mayulu in support, but after the square ball across goal, Mayulu’s finish was fired agonisingly over on the stretch (77’). Zoran Barišić reacted and brought on Oliver Strunz and Lukas Grgić for Mayulu and Oswald (81’), yet the next offensive action came again from Matthias Seidl, who tested the keeper with a decent placed shot (88’). For the final period - in which there were 13 minutes of stoppage time added due to the earlier interruptions - two more fresh faces came on; Patrick Greil and Ante Bajić replacing Matthias Seidl and Nic Kühn (90’). Substitute Bajić then had the chance to find a winner, but the opposing defense was a touch faster (90’+11’). Oliver Strunz also missed a dangerous chance in the closing minutes (90’+12’) as the defenders put him under immediate pressure in the area, but no breakthrough was to be found.

After a valiant display over 106 minutes, the scoreboard ultimately remained at 1-1. There was more possible on the day due to some of the good chances we carved out, but after the fireworks displays in the stands, there was also a display of sorts with all the chances that were created on the field in a brilliant battling contest. Now we look forward to an away game at Union Gurten in the ÖFB Cup on Wednesday, before the big away derby comes around next Sunday.

Fotos: GEPA