Trainer Barisic' hand was forced somewhat before the game by injuries to key players from the Innsbruck win. Heikinnen, Sonnleitner und Drazan withdrew from the squad due to injury, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink replaced Salihi in the lone forward role. Kulovits came into the midfield to add steel in Heikinnen's absence, taking up a deep lying role in a new 4-1-4-1 system.Vennegoor of Hesselink hands Hütteldorfers the advantageBack in the starting line up for the first time since the 0-0...

Shadows had just started to fall across the Hanappi stadium on Saturday ahead of the evening kick off against Lower Austrian outfit Wiener Neustadt. Rapids form had begin to warm up in recent weeks, much like the Viennese spring, and under newly installed coach Zoran Barisic the team were looking to continue to sweep up the Bundesliga and fight for a potential league and cup double. A late charge for the league had looked out of the question just a few weeks earlier, but it's in Rapid's...

"Zoki" Barisic's first line up included the fit again Helge Payer in goal. Katzer, Sonnleitner, Soma and Kayhan made up the back four with Kulovits and Heikinnen sat in front to play deep and protect. Drazan started wide left, with Prokopic oppostie him on the right flank, Steffen Hofmann took up a position "in the hole" behind lone striker Hamdi Salihi. It was Salihi who had the first chance of the afternoon, breaking through the Wacker backline only to see his shot repelled by Innsbruck...

Trainer Barisic' hand was forced somewhat before the game by injuries to key players from the Innsbruck win. Heikinnen, Sonnleitner und Drazan withdrew from the squad due to injury, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink replaced Salihi in the lone forward role. Kulovits came into the midfield to add steel in Heikinnen's absence, taking up a deep lying role in a new 4-1-4-1 system.Vennegoor of Hesselink hands Hütteldorfers the advantageBack in the starting line up for the first time since the...

Following the departure of Peter Pacult and his backroom staff, President Rudolf Edlinger spoke about the changes sweeping through Hütteldorf and his decision to place Zoran Barisic in charge until the end of the season.Early on Monday the club released the following statement:SK Rapid would like to officially state that due to a huge breakdown in the trust between the Rapid boardroom and coach Peter Pacult, the trainer has departed with immediate effect. This news of course led to...

Rapid lined up for the second time in two Bundesliga outings in a 4-5-1 formation. Styrian opponents Sturm looked set to provide another stern test of Rapid’s title credentials following last weeks pulsating 3-3 draw in the UPC Arena in Graz. Both sets of fans were creating an explosive atmosphere and were buoyed by LASK’s victory away to RB Salzburg earlier in the day.The first effort on goal arrived in the 5th minute: Sturm midfielder Hölzl walked onto to a loose ball on the edge of...

"Zoki" Barisic's first line up included the fit again Helge Payer in goal. Katzer, Sonnleitner, Soma and Kayhan made up the back four with Kulovits and Heikinnen sat in front to play deep and protect. Drazan started wide left, with Prokopic oppostie him on the right flank, Steffen Hofmann took up a position "in the hole" behind lone striker Hamdi Salihi. It was Salihi who had the first chance of the afternoon, breaking through the Wacker backline only to see his shot repelled by Innsbruck...

Saturday's top of the table clash between Rapid and Sturm Graz looked set to live up to it's billing as the weekends top offering in the tipp3-Bundesliga. Peter Pacult went for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the crunch clash, with midweek scorer for Albania Hamdi Salihi leading the line for the Green-Whites. Emotions were running high in the stands ahead of what looked a mouth-watering encounter. Hectic OpeningAs early as the 10th minute the deadlock was broken. A simple through ball bisected the...

Rapid lined up for the second time in two Bundesliga outings in a 4-5-1 formation. Styrian opponents Sturm looked set to provide another stern test of Rapid’s title credentials following last weeks pulsating 3-3 draw in the UPC Arena in Graz. Both sets of fans were creating an explosive atmosphere and were buoyed by LASK’s victory away to RB Salzburg earlier in the day.The first effort on goal arrived in the 5th minute: Sturm midfielder Hölzl walked onto to a loose ball on the edge of...

Alfred Hörtnagl informed the club that he would leave the position he has occupied since December 2006 with immediate effect. The club President accepted Hörtnagel's resignation, and the club will now move on without his services. Team Manager Stefan Ebner takes over the day-to-day operations of the role on an interim basis. Alfred Hörtnagl's statement: "I believe I have fulfilled what I set out to achieve with SK Rapid. My aim was to implement a philosophy of recruiting and developing...