Rapid Vienna falls to RB Salzburg
With the loss against RB Salzburg, Rapid Vienna also slipped behind WAC to third place. Salzburg caught up with the Hütteldorf team in points, is now fourth, and maintained a streak: The "Bulls" have been unbeaten in home games against Rapid for over ten years or 19 matches.
Clash of the Winless between Rapid Vienna and RB Salzburg
The Sunday hit was a clash between two teams not accustomed to success. Salzburg looked back on four defeats in the past five competitive matches, and Thomas Letsch was harsh with his team after the Europa League appearance in Lyon. The German made five changes. In the offense, million-dollar signing Clement Bischoff was in the starting lineup, as were Kerim Alajbegovic and Edmund Baidoo.
Peter Stöger introduced two fresh forces. Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao was available again in central defense, and Salzburg's Seidl started in his hometown. The Viennese had conceded seven goals in the painful defeats in the derby against Austria (1:3) and at Lech Posen (1:4). In Wals-Siezenheim, Rapid initially did not come under defensive pressure in front of 12,793 spectators. Up front, Grün-Weiß found their master in Alexander Schlager during several chances.
Schlager in Top Form against Rapid Vienna
The national team goalkeeper first appeared during a finish by Nikolaus Wurmbrand, who was deployed on the right wing (6th minute), and also defused a header from Seidl from close range with a remarkable reflex (18th minute). Schlager also neutralized a direct shot from Claudy Mbuyi (26th minute) and saved a Radulovic free kick (28th minute). Salzburg was well served with the draw. The "Bulls" had major problems in their build-up play and won only 35 percent of the duels in the first half hour. The uninspired hosts were still supposed to take the lead.
Frans Krätzig and Bischoff combined, the Dane found Diabate, who was left completely alone and finished with a powerful shot straight at the goal. Rapid keeper Niklas Hedl had to let the shot pass. Rapid suddenly fell behind against the run of play, but the Viennese were to find an answer before the halftime whistle. Seidl went into the duel, and Radulovic converted the increasingly long ball from a difficult angle.
Both sides went unchanged into the second 45 minutes. Schlager had to remain highly active. During a double chance by Radulovic and Wurmbrand (49th minute), he prevented Rapid's second goal, as well as with a leg save against Mbuyi (50th minute). Salzburg was once again reeling, Letsch brought on Kitano for Bischoff - a move that would pay off minutes later. Nenad Cvetkovic let a high cross from Stefan Lainer pass, the advancing Baidoo was still denied by Hedl before the Japanese player tapped in.
Seidl failed for Rapid Wien from the spot
Stöger tried to turn the tide with a triple substitution. As the Rapid quarter-hour approached, Salzburg almost secured the decision. The substitute Moussa Yeo snatched the ball from Raux-Yao and hit the post (76th minute). This gave Rapid another opportunity for a turnaround. Seidl stepped up for the penalty after Alajbegovic had hit Radulovic on the knee in the penalty area. However, Rapid's captain blasted the ball well over the goal.
(APA/Red)
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