“Final Day” Defeat in Salzburg

What could have been the final day of the season for SK Rapid had a different feel about it, as our underwhelming league position has left us looking ahead to the upcoming European Qualification Play-Offs.

For Match Day 32 of the Bundesliga season we were away in Salzburg, and interim coach Stefan Kulovits chose a line-up with no real surprises. Dion Beljo and Guido Burgstaller renewed the strike-partnership which had proven so fruitful for several months of the season. Niki Wurmbrand and Andrija Radulović were deployed on the wings, with captain Matti Seidl and winter newcomer Romeo Amane in the centre of the midfield, ahead of a back four of Bendeguz Bolla - who scored a brace last weekend - plus Ange Ahoussou, Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao and home-grown talent Dominik Vincze. Mamadou Sangaré and Lukas Grgić were missing due to injury, while Moritz Oswald was also ruled out at short notice.

For the hosts there was a lot more riding on the game, as they could have ended up anywhere from 4th to 2nd in the table, whilst we were unfortunately fixed in our 5th spot. A finish outside of the top-two places would have been Salzburg’s first since their takeover by the Salzburg-based energy drinks manufacturer in 2005.

Unfortunately, the match began with an early setback. Our defending was too passive and Oscar Gloukh took advantage in the 8th minute with a perfectly placed shot from inside the box to give the hosts the lead. It got worse just three minutes later after another poor tackle in our defensive ranks, Dorgeles Nene was able to increase the lead to 2-0 for Salzburg - again leaving keeper Niklas Hedl with no chance (11’). Our team then recovered somewhat, and the first real danger came from a fine Bendegúz Bolla effort, which was turned away for a corner. Just 60 seconds later though, Andrija Radulović reduced the deficit after some excellent set-up work from captain Matthias Seidl. The joy was short-lived, as in the 23rd minute, the Red Bulls broke away with plenty of support, and nobody was able to stop Edmund Baidoo from restoring the two-goal cushion.

The next good opportunity then fell to the Green & Whites again, but Niki Wurmbrand met his match in Austrian national team goalkeeper Alexander Schlager after a good shot on goal in the 28th minute. Shortly before half-time another chance came our way in an open game, but our veteran forward Guido Burgstaller only managed to hit the side-netting after controlling the ball beautifully, therefore we went in at the break trailing 3-1.

We started the second half with a change (Nenad Cvetković came on for Dion Beljo), yet the hosts had another great chance after just three minutes, but having survived that, we nearly pulled back within one again straight after. Following a beautiful shot by Andrija Radulović and a great save by Alexander Schlager, Guido Burgstaller was unfortunately unable to turn the rebound into the net (50’). Not long later, the crucial next goal would go the way of the home side. Again the defending left much to be desired, and Dorgeles Nene was able to add a fourth for the Red Bulls. Nonetheless, a team led by Guido Burgstaller is not a team to give up, and after Dominic Vincze’s set-up, Burgi hammered the ball into the net just after the hour-mark to pull one back. 4-2 (63’)! After that, he would say his goodbyes as he was subbed off for Ercan Kara, while Louis Schaub and Isak Jansson also came on in place of Niki Wurmbrand and Andrija Radulović.

The game remained exciting and open, Benjamin Böckle came on late in the contest for Dominik Vincze, and the 1,500 travelling fans kept on pushing the team, but ultimately the score would change no further. As the other teams in the Championship Group drew their matches, Salzburg jumped into second place, and just like last season, SK Sturm took top spot, therefore our congratulations must go to Graz. Now it’s time for us to refocus for next week’s play-off against either LASK or Hartberg.

Fotos: GEPA