Big Game, Big Result for SK Rapid

After our bitter draw/defeat in the UEFA Europa League Play-Off, Rapid turned our attentions back to the Bundesliga on Sunday as we faced RB Salzburg! For the first time in a long time, there were fewer than twelve Austrians in our matchday squad for a league game. With Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao (France), Nenad Cvetković (Serbia), Bendegùz Bolla (Hungary), Mamadou Sangaré (Mali) and Isak Jansson (Sweden) in the starting XI as well as Dion Beljo (Croatia), Dennis Kaygin (Germany) & new signing Tobias Børkeeiet (Norway), eight internationally registered players were in the matchday squad, and therefore the criteria for participation in the so-called “Austria pot” (funding support for the fielding of Austrian players) were - unusually for SK Rapid - not met. As the club management have stressed, this topic has been and will be evaluated during every transfer window, and for now the decision has been made to focus first and foremost on achieving the strongest possible sporting performance for the current season, as Managing Director Sport Markus Katzer has mentioned.

The matchup with Salzburg was hotly anticipated, but unfortunately the start was not a good one: The guests were already looking dangerous in front of goal in the fifth minute, and took the early lead, 0-1 (5’). We tried to respond to conceding the goal, but the game was clearly in the hands of the Bulls in the opening stages. Nevertheless, we didn't let up, fought for every inch, and in the 19th minute Isak Jansson made a strong run through the defence and from out of nowhere he coolly slotted the ball past the opposing goalkeeper, 1-1 (19’)! Guido Burgstaller then also had a good opportunity, but his shot was wide of the target (23'). Just a few moments later, our number 9 unfortunately had to leave the field due to injury, and Dion Beljo's working day began in his place (29’). We hope that Guido will be back in Green & White very soon. The equalizer threw Salzburg off their stride, and Isak Jansson once again showed a burst of speed, skipping past several opponents before the goalkeeper parried his shot (36'). Dion Beljo failed to score with a header soon after, but Jonas Auer would score from the rebound in stunning style: Our number 23 struck the ball directly as it dropped through the air, and he volleyed it into the goal from the edge of the area for 2-1. Definitely a contender for goal of the season (37')! The joy of taking the lead did not last long, however, as Salzburg equalised in stoppage time at the end of the first half making it 2-2 (45+3’) at half time!

The second 45 minutes began with plenty of pace and passion from both sides, which unfortunately led to another injury-related substitution: Dion Beljo had to come off with a knock, and Dennis Kaygin came on in his stead (58'). The noise levels in the stadium soon got extremely loud again: Our Swedish winger once more proved his strength, turned on the afterburners, left everyone in his dust and put us back into the lead, 3-2 (60')! The game settled down between the penalty areas, before head coach Robert Klauß brought on fresh legs. Moritz Oswald, Maximilian Hofmann and - for the first time in a Rapid shirt - Tobias Børkeeiet replaced two-goal hero Isak Jansson, Louis Schaub and Lukas Grgić (81'). There was a commotion in the closing stages when a handball was allegedly committed in our penalty area, but after a VAR check, Salzburg were rightly denied a penalty. Fortunately, that was to be the last action of the match, and our lads were able to reward their strong performance with three vital points.

After 97 minutes, the home win was more than deserved - BRAVO, Rapid players! Take a deep breath and enjoy another win in a hugely important league game!

Fotos: GEPA