For more quality

Rapid dispenses with Austrian pot for the first time

Rapid celebrate a thrilling victory over Red Bull Salzburg.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Premiere! In their 3-2 win over Red Bull Salzburg on Sunday, Rapid did without the money from the Austrian pot for the first time ever. 

No classic rotation at Rapid for the first time, although the Viennese team had two days less recovery time than Salzburg. Logically, Lukas Grgic, who was suspended in the European Cup, slipped back into the starting eleven. And the only real change compared to the 2:2 defeat against Braga 44 hours earlier was of a tactical nature: Dion Beljo had to sit on the bench. He was replaced by Louis Schaub, with Isak Jansson starting alongside Guido Burgstaller.

Isak Jansson (in the foreground) was the outstanding player against Salzburg.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Almost more interesting, however, was the view of the bench, where Beljo was joined by Dennis Kaygin and new signing Tobias Börkeeiet, who became wild cards at the end. This meant that eight (!) legionnaires were on the match report, the first time Rapid had ever waived the money (around 1.2 million euros last season) from the Austrian pot. This is "settled" on a quarterly basis and was introduced in 2004, allowing only six foreigners.

Therefore, Rapids' "exit" was overdue, Salzburg (16 legionnaires) was never included in the Austrian pot, Sturm and LASK also do without it. Only with Austrians does the question of quality arise at some point.

However, it can't be completely ruled out that Rapid won't bring in another striker now that Burgstaller and Beljo are out injured. In case someone has something long term ...