Rapid defeats Sturm Graz with 2:1

Rapid won the thrilling Bundesliga clash at football champion Sturm Graz with a 2:1 (0:0) victory. In the duel of two opening winners, Otar Kiteishvili (57th minute) initially put the hosts in the lead. However, Rapid turned the match around just days before the important European Cup return leg in Scotland with a double strike from Petter Nosa Dahl (67th minute) and Claude Mbuyi (70th minute).

Rapid Vienna turned heated league hit at Sturm in Graz

With this, Rapid remained unbeaten in the sixth competitive match under veteran coach Peter Stöger and celebrated their first victory in Graz against Sturm since June 28, 2020 (3:2). Last year, Rapid also won the first season duel with Sturm (1st round), back then in Vienna.

At Sturm, Danish loan goalkeeper Oliver Christensen experienced an ungrateful competitive debut. Rapid, on the other hand, refrained from rotation three days after the 2:2 draw against Dundee United in the Conference League qualification. However, Stöger reshuffled the central defense, with Jean Marcelin replacing the rested Nenad Cvetkovic.

Fast-paced start and fan protest

After a moment of mourning for the deceased former ÖFB President Leo Windtner, the Sturm fans caused a three-minute interruption with Bengalo smoke clouds just seconds into the game. The away section filled almost completely after a quarter of an hour and remained largely quiet in protest. Fan buses had been stopped by the police for identity checks on the way. Both fan camps subsequently expressed their displeasure regarding the authorities.

Despite 33 degrees in the shade, it initially didn't turn into a summer kick. With open play, it went back and forth - and Sturm's Tochi Chukwuani failed with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after a midfield solo, hitting the outside post (7'). On the other side, Christensen saved a header from Andrija Radulovic (9'). Rapid's initial momentum remained - as the first half progressed, the champion, virtually unchanged from last year, took control of the game. However, the Hütteldorf team showed good organization and largely closed off the center.

Not so in the 30th minute, when Leon Grgic missed the great chance for Sturm to take the lead. He pushed the ball past the Rapid goal after a through pass from Kiteishvili. While Radulovic remained Rapid's most dangerous with a shot past the goal, goalkeeper Niklas Hedl had to save at the back. Grgic was the second-best with his header after an extension from Jon Gorenc Stankovic (45.+3).

Green-White Double Strike

The guests came out of the locker room furiously. The substitutes Dominik Weixelbraun and Mbuyi found chances (46'), and Christensen thwarted an even bigger opportunity against Janis Antiste (47'). However, Sturm survived the pressure phase and took the lead somewhat luckily. A shot from Kiteishvili was deflected, making it probably unstoppable for Hedl.

Rapid sought the immediate equalizer, but initially, Sturm missed counter chances. Böving hesitated too long (62') and Grgic failed against Hedl's foot save (65'). A green-white double strike followed. First, Dahl was not challenged by the Sturm defense and successfully aimed just outside the penalty area. Then Mbuyi rolled past Christensen in a counterattack to the much-celebrated guest lead.

Sturm coach Jürgen Säumel brought in the young squad for a turnaround, but against the compact Rapid defense, top chances remained scarce. Dahl missed the decision with a shot against the post (82') and Hedl secured the victory with attempts from Jacob Hödl (85') and Stankovic (89').

(APA/Red)

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