EL : Rapid edge Villarreal

Two quick second half goals from Schwab und capitan Hoffman helped Rapid to ended 47 year long wait for a win against Spanish opposition.

The visitors took the lead just before the half time whistle, after Leo Baptistao cleverly headed the ball in the net after a cross from Rukavina. 

Carried on the wings of home crowd (36 200 spectators) Rapid over turn the match in 4 second-half minutes. Rapid take advantage after two set pieces from captain Hoffman. First one ended with goal, second one bring penalty, the Hoffman himself coolly converted.

In the dying minutes “the yellow submarine” had several chances but Baptistao and Bakambu didn’t find the net.

 -         - We`ve left our hearts on the pitch, we fight till the last minute and with great support from our fans we manage to win it –said Rapid`s manager Barisic.

Rapid`s next match will be away in Minsk, while Villarreal welcomes Victoria Plzen.

EL : Rapid will do anything to beat Villarreal

Rapid starts their camping in Europa League against Villarreal. Spain team is considered as favorite in Group among teams of Victoria Plzen and Dynamo Minsk.

 

The Spaniards are favorites in this Group, we Victoria and Dynamo are going to battle for a second place. Of course that doesn`t mean that we are going to surrender, but that we are going to do anything to get positive result. – said Barisic.

 

For Rapid`s manager Zoran Barisic Villarreal “the yellow submarine” is like Mini-Barcelona. - They are among top teams in Europa. To beat them, we need a perfect match. This is new competition, first game in the league, and we`re starting with 0-0.

This is very first match between two teams, and both managers have positive words for their opponent.

-        - I`ve seen several Rapid matches, and what I sow is that this is very disciplinary team, who has very strong counterattack. We`re favorites but we have to show that on the football pitch. We are not and the same level as Ajax and Sahtjor but we are going do to anything to stay as long as possible in the competition – said Villarreal’s manager Marcelino.

Soldado to miss Rapid clash 

Spain international Roberto Soldado will miss the opening match against Rapid in the new season in Europa League.Because of injury forward wasn’t at the plane that took off from Spain. 

Admira took the yellow jersey

Surprisingly the team from “Sud Stad” is new leader in Austrian Bundesliga. After eight rounds with 17 points they lead on the Bundesliga table. Admira climbs to the top after narrow 1-0 win over WAC, and Rapid`s lose at Altach with 2-0.

Deciding moment of the match happened in minute when Admira`s captain Christoph Schoesswendter take full advantage from mistake from away keeper Alexander Kofller. The pressure rises on a Didi Kuhbaer shoulders after 16 matches run without away win. The last lose placed them at the bottom of the Bundesliga.

Rapid for the first time since Mart lose away game. The lost came in worst moment for the Zoran Barisic`s side, just before the Europa League match against Villarreal. Martin Haarer netted twice for Altach in the second half.

      

      There were no many reasons to cheers in “violet” part of Vienna. Austria Vienna draws 1-1 with Reid and left them two points behind leaders Admira. Raphael Holzhauser put the host in lead just before the break, the lead was canceled after one hour of play from Gernot Trauner.  -  Our goal is to reach the top 3, we`re in the right way to do that –said Austria’s top scorer Alexander Gorgon.

Smiles are back in Mozart’s town. Red Bull had overtaken Grodig in Salzburg derby with 4-2. Win sends “bulls”in the top section of Bundesliga table. Capitan Johny Soriano netted for the first time this season.

 

Patrick Farkas double sends Sturm on the floor, as Mattersburg maintained their 100% record at home. After a goalless first half Mattersbugur`s captain stroke twice in 68 I 90 minutes.

 photo : Admira

Austrian Bundesliga kicks on

After two weeks of international football, the Austrian Bundesliga kicks on.

Leaders SC Rapid are traveling to West Austria to meet Altach. Altach was one of the three Austrian representatives in qualifiers for Uefa Europa league. This euro journey stopped them to progress in Bundesliga. With only 2/7 victories they have six points, two more over last Reid in the drop zone. All eyes will be set on Rapid`s newcomer Matej Jelic, who has to replace striker Robert Beric who left Rapid in direction St.Etiene (France). Victory will heat up the “boys in green“ for upcoming match in Uefa Europa league against Villareal nex week.

- We used this two weeks to fulfill the energy and to get back on the right track. In last days we`ve work hard and we are ready for the match against the best team in the moment – said Altach coach Damir Cadani

 

Austria Vienna in Generali arena welcomes last placed Reid. Austria scored most goals (10) in home matches, while Ried are the worst defensive team. In 4 away matches they conceded 15 goals. The "violets" are confident on 2nd place two point behid leader Rapid.

Defending champions Red Bull Salzburg are welcoming Sv Grodig in “Salzburg” derby. The champions currently are lying on 5th place on the table with five points less than leaders Rapid. Sv Grodig, who are lead by Rapid legend Peter Schoettel, after first seven rounds have collected only eight points. Red Bull head coach Peter Ziegler looks forward to the derby on Saturday. “Our goal is, to take the 3 points with us this weekend”.

High-flying Admira takes on WAC. Host are playing attractive football, from 7 matches they have 14 points, only two behind the league leaders. WAC manager Didi Kuhbaer is on the edge after poor start of the campaign. The “wolfs” are equal with Ried with only four point in relegation battle. Loss can easily mean “one way” ticket for Kuhbaer. The wolfs are victory less 15 away matches. (2 draws, 13 loses) Longest rally in their history.

In the middtable battle Mattersburg vs Sturm  the ‘greens’ are facing “the blacks” defending their 100% record at home this season. 3 out 3 victories against Red Bull,Ried and WAC make the hosts slightly favorites to win this one. Sturm perfect away run was ruined last round when they suffered anexpected lose at Ried.