24. August 2024
After the 2-2 draw at GAK, SK Rapid is the next test for Blau-Weiß Linz. © APA/EXPA/MARCEL PAIL
Rapid doesn’t have much time to think about it after their first defeat of the season. However, coach Robert Klauß described the fact that the next trip to Linz to play Blau-Weiß was a stroke of luck after the 1:2 defeat in Braga at the weekend.
“That’s exactly the good thing about playing every three days. You immediately have the chance to get a positive result and start the week with a good feeling,” said the German before flying home from Portugal on Friday morning.
In Linz on Sunday (5 p.m.) in front of a sold-out crowd, the Viennese team will be rotating again. It should come as no surprise that Dion Beljo and Lukas Grgic will be playing. The Croatian striker initially missed a huge chance in Braga before being sent off for tactical reasons after his midfield colleague was sent off after less than ten minutes.
“I think it’s good for them that they can play again straight away. It’s important to get other thoughts in your head,” said Klauß. Grgic also saw it positively: “The way the boys fought and performed shows strength and that we are ready for the challenges ahead.”
After the successful start to the season, Rapid can definitely take first place on the Danube bank, as Salzburg has a free game. The Hütteldorfers would also have had the chance to catch up on the game later in the European Cup week, like the league leaders who are involved in the Champions League qualification. Klauß decided against it, citing the already familiar rhythm.
Blue-Whites “a solid team”
“Regenerate and see who is fresh” is the plan for the preparations for Blau-Weiß. Klauß described the next opponent as a “solid team that has already proven its strength at home in the previous season and at the start of the new season”. But the memories of the steel city are good: almost exactly a year ago, the trip to the then newly promoted team ended with a 5-0 away win. Klauß only celebrated his debut in Austria three months later: with a 1-0 win against Blau-Weiß in Vienna.
The Upper Austrians have picked up four points in the three rounds so far. They have a new man in goal following Nicolas Schmid’s move to England. 20-year-old Radek Vitek was loaned from Manchester United. The almost two-meter-tall Czech impressed in training this week.
Debut of neo-goalie Vitek
“He makes a very good impression, not only on the pitch, but also as a person,” said Gerald Scheiblehner about Vitek. The BW coach praised the opponents. Rapid is currently the “team of the hour” in the Bundesliga. The entire sporting management at the Viennese club is working extremely successfully. “You get the feeling that there is a team working there, not just on the pitch, but also all around.”
Scheiblehner watched the match in Braga on TV. He saw the opposite of a mental setback for the Viennese. “Even yesterday’s defeat probably feels like a victory,” said the ex-professional on Friday, referring to the long period of being outnumbered.
Blue-White does not want to freeze in fear, Scheiblehner announced: “We are aware of how strong Rapid is, but also that we are strong. Our goal is to win the game.” Former Rapid player Martin Moormann hoped that his former club would have a tough time: “I do think that tiredness plays a role. But we have to perform at our best to get something out of it.”
