First Setback in Stöger Coaching Era: Only 2-2 for Rapid Vienna in Conference League Qualification Against Dundee United
Rapid Vienna largely dominated the first leg of the Conference League qualification, but squandered many scoring opportunities and could not maintain the lead, despite fewer attacks from Dundee United. The second leg is next Thursday at 8:45 PM in Dundee. The winner will face AIK Stockholm or Györi ETO in the play-off. AIK Stockholm won the first leg 2-1.
Conference League Qualification: Dundee United Forced to Make Early Changes Against Rapid Vienna
Both coaches refrained from making personnel experiments in the starting lineup. At Rapid Vienna, exactly the same players took the field as in the 1-0 victory against Blau-Weiß Linz on Sunday, trying to reach the goal through tight combinations. In the 12th minute, there was a handball alarm in the Scots' penalty area, but the officials saw no offense. After this action, Isaac Pappoe, one of the central midfielders of the guests, got injured and had to leave. Ivan Dolcek came in for the Ghanaian, and the basic formation changed slightly to an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 system against the ball.
The Scots also had one or two scenes in the offense, but the Green-Whites cleared safely in the center. Up front, Andrija Radulovic (23rd) tried from a distance for Rapid Vienna, but shot well wide. Rapid Vienna initially seemed a bit left-heavy, but with the first targeted action on the right, they immediately succeeded with the goal: After a Bolla cross, Dahl was in the right place at the five-meter line and finished skillfully with the first touch. Janis Antiste (31st) then hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Rapid Vienna Not Clinical in Front of Goal Against Dundee United in Conference League Qualification
Almost in response, Sangaré was too easily shaken off by Sapsford on a dribble down the left. The Australian's pass went unimpeded through the Viennese defense center and reached striker Watters, who converted directly. Before the break, however, Rapid Vienna captain Seidl scored again to take the lead - the assist came once more from the strong Bendeguz Bolla.
After the break, Rapid Vienna continued to control the game. The team of coach Peter Stöger revealed weaknesses in converting their own chances: Jannes Horn (53rd) shot past the goal, Radulovic (57th) into the arms of goalkeeper Yevhen Kutscheranko. The Ukrainian then brilliantly saved against Nenad Cvetkovic (61st) and Sangaré (71st). Just a few seconds after the long-injured Nikolaus Wurmbrand was substituted in for Rapid Vienna in the 75th minute, Sapsford scored under pressure to equalize 2-2.
In the final phase, Stöger threw in the powerful strikers Ercan Kara and Claudy Mbuyi. However, neither could change the result, although Mbuyi came close in the 89th minute. In injury time, a deflected shot from Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao grazed over the goal, and a header goal by the also substituted Louis Schaub (92nd) was disallowed due to Kara's offside position.
(APA/Red)
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