Rapid couldn’t get past a goalless draw against Debrecen at home in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League .
Coach Zoran Barisic sent the same starting XI onto the field in front of 17,200 fans in the third competitive game in a row. Led by captain and goalscorer Guido Burgstaller, Rapid started briskly, pressed up and settled into the Hungarian half at the start. Matthias Seidl had the first promising opportunity, after a cross from Jonas Auer, Blau-Weiß Linz’s goal was too central (12′).
But for the first time it became extremely dangerous on the other side: Debrecen captain Balazs Dzsudzsak slammed a free kick from the edge of the penalty area onto the post (20′). This action shook the guests awake and initiated a short period of pressure that Rapid survived. As the first half of the game progressed, the green-whites increased the pressure again, but missed the ultimate consequence.
Two lucky rods for Rapid
In the 38th minute the ball landed in the goal after a corner kick, but Burgstaller’s goal was denied due to a previous handball (38′). A little later, the Rapid captain failed with a long-range shot by Debrecen goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri (43rd).
The second half of the game turned out to be much more torn apart and with fewer chances. Ten minutes before the end, the Viennese were very lucky for the second time that evening: Substitute Alexandros Kyziridis only hit the bar (80′).
The winner of the return leg meets last year’s finalists Florence in the play-off. The team promoted in the last qualifying round advances to the group stage.
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