2023-08-10 21:10:00
Rapid mightn’t get past a goalless draw once morest 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, following 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 once more, but missed the ultimate consequence.
Two lucky rods for Rapid
In the 38th minute the ball landed in the goal following 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.
The voices of the game
- Zoran Barisic (Rapid-Trainer): “It was a game on an equal footing. In certain situations we lacked precision and sometimes we weren’t clean with the ball. That can happen, at this level it’s a shame of course because it was our goal is to go into the second leg with a lead. Unfortunately, we didn’t succeed in that and that’s why it remains exciting. In some situations we have to be cooler, more relaxed with the ball, finish it more precisely and then when we’re in front of the box too consistently seek closure.”
- Guido Burgstaller (Rapid captain): “We have to live with the result. You might see that we did everything we might. We had good chances that we didn’t take advantage of. Basically, the game was okay for us. We played once morest a very good one opponents played, it will certainly be an interesting away game.”
- Roman Kerschbaum (Rapid-Spieler): “It was the hard fight we expected, a very strong opponent. Of course we planned to win today. The chances were there. We didn’t concede a goal, that’s of course also important. Of course everything is open for the second leg.”
- Srdjan Blagojevic (Debrecen coach): “It was a challenging game once morest good opponents. We know that Rapid are the favorites in the match and we’re happy to be alive. It was difficult to achieve our game plan and once morest the high To fight Rapid’s intensity, I want to commend my team, but I think we can play even better in the second leg.”
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#Rapid #needed #luck #draw #Debrecen
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