Brilliant Bolla Brace in Superb Sunday Win
To end the week in which Guido Burgstaller announced that he would be hanging up his boots, Sunday’s game saw SK Sturm come to Hütteldorf looking to cement their place at the top of the table. Rapid’s objective would be to secure a place in the European Qualifying Play-off, but for this tradition-steeped clash, interim boss Stefan Kulovits was without a number of players. Mama Sangaré was one such player who missed out with an injury, but Nikolaus Wurmbrand and SP Raux-Yao were back at full fitness, as the former made-up the strike partnership alongside our soon-to-retire number 9.
Even before kick-off, the occasion was full of emotions, as the sold-out stadium bade farewell to Burgi after the team had given him a guard of honour. In the brand-new Green & White striped home jersey, it was our number 9 who had the day’s opening chance, but his shot on the turn didn’t have the power to beat the keeper (11’). Isak Jansson fired the next opportunity well-wide (16’), but Rapid were bossing the game and controlling the tempo. After a corner kick, Raux-Yao's header was saved, only for Ange Ahoussou to blaze the rebound over the bar from a promising position (18’). Just moments later though, we’d find the precision that was needed, and in some style! Bendi Bolla took aim from distance, and cannoned his shot in off the underside of the crossbar to send the home crowd wild in Hütteldorf. 1-0 (20’)! Niki Hedl was needed to make a few good stops as Sturm tried to fight their way back into the match, but shortly before the break, Guido Burgstaller did well to muscle his way onto a long ball, before burying a sweet low shot into the corner for 2-0 (41’)! It was a strike which stirred the emotions again in the stadium, and it gave Rapid a precious two-goal lead at the break.
We started the second 45 minutes with a change, as Andrija Radulović replaced Niki Wurmbrand (46’). We were still well in the game after the restart, but often lacked that final yard downfield, and therefore couldn’t get a good look at goal. Sturm, on the other hand, showed their efficiency, and after a few fortunate bounces Leon Grgic could sink the ball past Hedl to pull a goal back from their first dangerous break (66’). The next emotional high-point came when Guido Burgstaller was brought off, to the tune of numerous chants, and a standing ovation! On came Ercan Kara (71’), and Rapid were immediately back on the hunt for another goal.
Andrija Radulović laid the ball off nicely for our newly introduced striker, Kara’s first clear shot was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly for Bendi Bolla in the box, and he was able to tuck it home to score his second and Rapid’s third! 3-1 (78’)! We made a couple of changes as the tempo ebbed away from the contest, but the Green & Whites had no major trouble in seeing out the game, and after 96 minutes, the much-deserved three points were ours!
With that, we secured not only an emotional 3-1 win over SK Sturm, but also fifth place in the table, and a spot in the European qualifying play-off. Let’s keep this going!
Fotos: GEPA
ADMIRAL Bundesliga | 31. Runde | Allianz Stadion
Tore: Bolla (20., 78.), Burgstaller (41.); Grgic (66.)
Rapid-11: Hedl; Vincze, Raux-Yao, Ahoussou, Bolla; Oswald (82. Kerschbaum), Amane; Jansson (82. Schaub), Seidl © (88. Beljo); Burgstaller (71. Kara), Wurmbrand (46. Radulović)
Ersatz: Gartler, Kerschbaum, Beljo, Schaub, Radulović, Cvetković, Kara