Rapid Vienna after "Wonderful Day" for Mbuyi in Conference League Group Stage

"We are very, very happy that we have achieved this," said Rapid Wien coach Peter Stöger. Claudy Mbuyi made a significant contribution with his two goals in the 2-0 victory in the play-off against Györ. After signing Matthias Seidl in the summer of 2023, Rapid seems to have made another successful pick from the pool of the 2nd league with the Frenchman.

Mbuyi Transfer Has Paid Off for Rapid Wien So Far

"It is a wonderful day for me, and I hope for more and more of them. I will continue to work on scoring even more goals," said Mbuyi humbly, almost shyly, in the mixed zone of the Allianz Stadium after the game on Thursday evening. "I am grateful for every day, every victory I can celebrate with this club. The start of the season was really tough for me, now I feel better," added the 26-year-old, who did not play a full 90 minutes in August due to muscular problems after the preparation.

Mbuyi secured the top scorer title as a player for SKN St. Pölten last season, and the move to the Green-Whites was then relatively quickly decided. And for Rapid, the gamble has paid off so far: With four goals, the full-blooded striker born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently the most productive scorer alongside Petter Nosa Dahl and, due to his other qualities, a mainstay of the team.

Praise for Mbuyi from Rapid Wien Coach Peter Stöger

"With his physique and his speed, and also with his extreme drive towards the goal," Mbuyi can hurt any opponent, explained Stöger. In addition, there is his heading ability. "He covers a lot, is a good striker. And - what is very important - he is an extremely positive character who sees his big chance here to prove himself." Captain Seidl also praised his teammate: "I am extremely happy for him. He has already proven in the first few weeks that he has what it takes, that he is physically good, brings a certain speed, and is also good at finishing."

Without the brilliant assist from Jannes Horn for the second goal in the 81st minute, Mbuyi would not have stood out as much that evening as he ultimately did. "I knew with my ball how I could use him. He is lightning fast and really, really in good form," explained the German. "I knew I just had to play the ball behind the line, he would somehow make his way through - and he did. I rarely praise individuals, but today he was clearly the Man of the Match."

For Rapid Vienna Coaching Team, the Work Continues

Horn himself was again given extra praise by Stöger. "He is required by us to go more into the offensive area than he might have done here or there in the past," he said about the left-back. "Everyone should bring in what they are really top at, and that is his quality, being able to play such passes. Today's was, of course, top-notch."

Stöger took note of the snapshot after the successful European Cup evening with satisfaction, but as usual, in a sober and rational manner. Of eleven competitive matches as Rapid coach, he has won seven (after 90 minutes), with three draws and only one defeat. "Everything looks okay, we can also be satisfied. But we still have enough things that we need to improve," he emphasized. The joy over the league phase is only "a short phase - intense, pleasing, good for the money, good for the image." Rapid also "started really well" last season, he noted. "We are now challenged to hopefully maintain this stability over a longer period and continue to advance."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.