After the embarrassing cup elimination against SV Stripfing on Wednesday, the Viennese team showed improvement with a substituted team and wrested a point from Sturm despite being long outnumbered. After a handball from Emanuel Aiwu, Dion Beljo scored a penalty to equalize in the 90th minute.
In the intense match of the 12th round, both teams appeared harmless in the first half. After a red card for Mamadou Sangaré in the 39th minute for rough play, Rapid only finished the first half with ten men. The league leaders then set the tone, but it took until the 82nd minute for Erencan Yardimci to delight the 16,000 spectators in the Merkur Arena. Beljo scored eight minutes later. The Viennese won the first league duel of the current season 1-0 at home in the first round.
Balanced game
After Rapid coach Robert Klauß had given his reserves match practice from the start against Stripfing, with the exception of Niklas Hedl and Louis Schaub, the nominal best line-up played again on Saturday. In Sturm, central midfielder Tochi Chukwuani got fit in time, while Jusuf Gazibegovic, who was last suspended against LASK, defended on the right of the back four.
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The new edition of this year’s cup final started evenly. Sturm waited to quickly execute any transition moments that arose – like in the 10th minute, when Biereth was prevented from making a useful finish in the middle. As the game continued, the home team made more and more mistakes and ball losses. Rapid used this to build up pressure. In the 26th minute, the guests were close to celebrating the goal when Guido Burgstaller narrowly slid past Jonas Auer’s sharp cross at the far corner.
Red card
The red card against Sangaré then changed the characteristics. The midfielder, over-motivated, went into a duel with left-back Dimitri Lavalée with his leg stretched out; referee Walter Altmann had no choice but to exclude him. Before the break, Chukwuani (43′) hit the bar with a header – a foretaste of what was to follow.
Sturm now dictated the game and restricted the opponent, Rapid defended passionately. Good chances for the Blacks only came in trickles: William Böving (51′) didn’t catch the ball properly, a Biereth volley (60′) was placed too centrally, a long-range shot from the goal getter (61′) went wide, Gazibegovic (74′). ) only took one of numerous corners. Rapid came up with relief attacks and a few offensive set pieces, but these brought nothing. At such a moment, Beljo (80′) didn’t put any pressure behind the ball in the penalty area.
Almost in return, Sturm took the lead. After an attack from the right and Johnston’s assist, substitute Yardimci held out his knee and beat Hedl in the Rapid goal. During a duel in the 89th minute, ex-Rapidler Aiwu was given the ball and the Hütteldorfers were awarded a penalty. Beljo shot sharply and scored, securing Rapid’s one point – and it could have been even bigger for Rapid: a shot from substitute Nikolaus Wurmbrand hit the bar in the 94th minute.
The gap between the two teams in the table remained at three points. Sturm continues in the Champions League on Tuesday with a highlight match against Borussia Dortmund. Rapid will play in the Conference League against FC Petrocub Hincesti in Moldova on Thursday.
ePaper
On the same day. Both teams are looking to improve their standings as the season progresses.
### Match Summary
– The match between Sturm Graz and Rapid Wien was thrilling, featuring a balanced game with several key moments influencing its outcome.
– Rapid Wien initially took control but struggled to convert chances, exemplified by Guido Burgstaller’s near-miss in the 26th minute.
– The match changed dramatically with the red card issued to Sturm’s Sangaré, which placed the home team at a disadvantage.
– Despite this, Sturm managed to create opportunities, with key chances coming from Chukwuani and Böving.
– Erencan Yardimci emerged as a vital substitute for Sturm, scoring a decisive goal in the 80th minute.
– Rapid responded with resilience, earning a penalty in the 89th minute that Beljo converted to equalize.
– In a dramatic finish, Rapid’s Nikolaus Wurmbrand struck the bar in stoppage time, leaving the match at a 1-1 draw.
### Implications
– The result left both teams vying for higher positions in the league, with Sturm maintaining a three-point lead over Rapid.
– As they shift focus to their respective European commitments, both teams hope to capitalize on their league performances to build momentum.
### Upcoming Matches
– Sturm Graz will face Borussia Dortmund in a critical Champions League match.
– Rapid Wien will take on FC Petrocub Hince in the Conference League, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage.
The spirited performances from both sides indicate that this rivalry remains fierce, with critical points at stake as they pursue their goals this season.