Bundesliga

SK Rapid vs WSG Tirol – LIVE from 5pm

Celebration at Rapid

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

In the third round of the Bundesliga, Rapid have emerged as the sole runners-up to Salzburg, who are still unblemished at the top of the table. The Viennese side won 2-0 (1-0) at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday against WSG Tirol, who had previously been level on points and goals, and remain two points behind the "Bulls".

This was also a successful dress rehearsal ahead of the Europa League play-off first leg at Sporting Braga in Portugal on Thursday.

(Bild: GEPA)

The aim there is to create a good starting position in the battle for a place in the group stage of the second most important European Cup competition. Dion Beljo (42) opened the scoring in the win against the Tyroleans with his fourth competitive goal in the green-and-white kit. Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao (67), another summer signing, then scored. The visitors conceded their first defeat in their fourth competitive match under Philipp Semlic, but are still in a good position in sixth place in the table. On the downside, two players - Lennart Czyborra and Lukas Hinterseer - were out injured before the break.

(Bild: GEPA)

No major rotation at Rapid
Rapid coach Robert Klauß opted not to rotate his starting XI, changing "only" three positions compared to the 2-0 home win against Trabzonspor during the week. Maximilian Hofmann on the inside and Benjamin Böckle on the left moved into the defense, giving Nenad Cvetkovic and Jonas Auer a break. In attack, the regular attacking duo were deployed, including Beljo alongside Guido Burgstaller. Winger Louis Schaub remained on the bench for the time being.

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

The Viennese gained the upper hand and were dangerous on several occasions. However, a lack of coolness prevented them from taking an early lead. Adam Stejskal saved a shot from Isak Jansson (8') and Burgstaller's shot missed the target (9'). The veteran missed an even bigger double chance after a quarter of an hour, when first David Gugganig blocked and then Jamie Lawrence saved. In offense, the Tyroleans were able to create the odd pinprick, the most dangerous being a shot from Valentino Müller (24').

However, a Rapid goal was clearly more in the air. However, Jansson failed to beat the WSG goalkeeper again (27'). The spell was broken in the 42nd minute. Böckle crossed ideally into the middle to Beljo, who was completely free and only had to head home from close range. Bendeguez Bolla (45.+1) and Burgstaller (45.+2) failed to add to their tally.

(Bild: GEPA)

Grgic stays in the dressing room
Lukas Grgic stayed in the dressing room for the break and was replaced by Moritz Oswald. The home side were able to take the momentum with them. After a nice switch, Beljo missed the ball carelessly (47'). That almost took its revenge, but a Taferner shot - a bit out of nowhere - landed next to the goal (58'). The Viennese finally sealed the deal from a set piece, a corner kick from Christoph Lang, with Raux-Yao heading in from four meters. Captain Matthias Seidl and Burgstaller were no longer on the pitch as they had received their farewell applause in the 64th minute to save energy.

Jansson deserved the third Rapid goal, but his finish after a remarkable move ended up in the side netting (70'). Both teams could have rewarded themselves with another goal. In contrast to the performance in the league in Klagenfurt (1:1) after the first leg victory at Trabzonspor, this time the result was also fitting after the international assignment on Thursday. The "next step" hoped for by Klauß was thus taken. With the seventh win in the eighth competitive match under his leadership.

SK Rapid - WSG Tirol 2:0 (1:0)
Vienna, Allianz Stadium, 15,200 spectators, refereed by Hameter.

Goals: 1:0 (42.) Beljo, 2:0 (67.) Raux-Yao

Rapid: N. Hedl - Bolla, Hofmann, Raux-Yao, Böckle (78. Auer) - Seidl (64. Schaub), Sangare, Grgic (46. Oswald), Jansson (78. Dursun) - Burgstaller (64. Lang), Beljo

WSG: Stejskal - Sulzbacher, Lawrence, Gugganig, Czyborra (19. Okungbowa) - Taferner, Müller, Blume (77. Naschberger)- Butler (77. Ranacher), Hinterseer (37. Diarra), Skrbo (77. Anselm)

Yellow cards: Bolla, Jansson or Gugganig, Skrbo, Sulzbacher, Diarra