UEFA Conference League: Schaub Shines on the Euro Stage Once More

A decisive double from European specialist Louis Schaub earned SK Rapid all three points from a tricky away tie against Istanbul Basaksehir, ensuring a perfect start for the Green & Whites in the UEFA Conference League!

After a long wait to get going, it was finally time to start in our first League Phase match of the UEFA Conference League campaign. Head Coach Robert Klauß had to watch from the stands after being sent-off against Braga, as trainer Stefan Kulovits took his place in the dugout for the away game against Istanbul Basaksehir FK on Matchday 1. 

The furious tempo of European football was evident from the opening minutes, as the hosts made their presence felt with a couple of good early chances, including a shot which hit the crossbar (5’). The Turkish side started well, but a great through-ball unlocked their defence, and Guido Burgstaller switched back for a clever near-post finish to get the ball in the net, however, a very close offside call would rule out what we thought was Rapid’s opening goal (13’). A short time later, our team combined well going forward once again, but after an assist from Dion Beljo, Lukas Grgić's placed shot was just parried away (18').

The game was now more in our hands, the only thing missing was the goal. A cross from Matthias Seidl ended up in the hands of the Turkish goalkeeper (35‘), before Niklas Hedl had to intervene for the first time to put an end to a counter-attack (39’). Soon after, however, the ball would be in the back of the Basakehir net! The ball was worked over to the right flank, and from the very corner of the area, Louis Schaub launched a sensational curling shot past the keeper’s dive and in at the far post! 1-0 to Rapid (43’). The celebrations didn’t last for long sadly though, as the home side headed themselves level via Krzysztof Piatek in first-half stoppage-time. 1-1 at the interval!

We couldn't have wished for a better start to the second half: After a square-ball from Guido Burgstaller, so-called “Euro-Louis” was once again in the right place and side-footed the ball in from the middle of the box to make it 2-1 (46')! The attacking moves continued, Dion Beljo almost increased the lead with a good effort at goal (50'), Guido Burgstaller also had a good go - but both attempts failed to make it 3-1. It seemed to be a different story in the 72nd minute: Matthias Seidl slid through a beauty of a ball for Dion Beljo, who calmly slotted his finish past the keeper and into the net! Agonisingly, this one would also be called back for a contentious offside decision, which must have been decided by mere millimetres, depending on when the pass was adjudged to have been played.

Nikolaus Wurmbrand and Maximilian Hofmann came on for the final phase in place of our two-goal hero Louis Schaub, and Dion Beljo (82‘), Mama Sangaré also left the pitch with an injury and Tobias Børkeeiet came on to replace him (87’). The final minutes saw a few more efforts from the Turkish team, but the Rapid defence held up well. Noah Bischof came on for Guido Burgstaller (90’+4), which was nearly the last notable action of the game, but Niklas Hedl had to produce one more save right at the end, as he dived top-corner to parry away a speculative volley, and preserve our lead to the full-time whistle!

2-1 was the final score, and therefore it was a successful start to the UEFA Conference League! Nice one, Rapid!

Fotos: GEPA