Heimvorteil fuels Rapid hope while Austria confronts a mammoth task
Rapid enter the second leg against Hearts confident, banking on Heimvorteil, while Austria stare at a Mammutaufgabe after a 0‑2 loss to Sporting Braga, both clubs eyeing the Conference-League-Ligaphase Entscheidungsspiel that will decide their European cup futures.
Rapid eyeing the decision game
Grün‑Weißen blickt nach 2:2 beim schottischen Vizemeister zuversichtlich auf das Entscheidungsspiel um die Conference‑League‑Ligaphase. The image by Fred Palmer (Edinburgh/Braga) shows Yusuf Demir on the right, underscoring the club’s focus on the Ligaphase. Für Rapid ist vor dem Millionenspiel in der Europacup‑Qualifikation noch alles offen, und die Wiener Vereine haben am Donnerstag im Play‑off‑Hinspiel unterschiedliche Ausgangspositionen erspielt.
In the first half in Edinburgh, Rapid created several big chances and earned a deserved lead through Serge‑Philippe Raux‑Yao in the 30th minute. Coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised the opening spell, saying the team “earned the lead” with quality chances.
The second half unraveled as Rapid lost the thread, conceding two goals. Hoff Thorup admitted, “Leider hatten wir diese 15 Minuten, in denen wir die Kontrolle aus der Hand gegeben haben,” and added that a 1‑2 deficit made a draw acceptable.
Looking ahead to the Wednesday showdown at 18.45 in Hütteldorf, Nikolaus Wurmbrand expressed optimism: “Wenn wir unsere Leistung bringen, können wir den Gegner schlagen.” Three minutes after entering, Wurmbrand (79’) secured the equaliser, shifting the Ausgangspositionen to a more favourable one.
Captain Matthias Seidl called the 2:2 “eine gute Partie mit Steigerungspotenzial” and highlighted the importance of the extra regeneration days. Both clubs enjoy a league break; Rapid will travel to Salzburg on 2 September, while Austria hosts WSG Tirol two hours earlier.
Austria faces a mammoth task
The “Veilchen” lamented the Hinspiel‑0:2 at Sporting Braga, describing the loss as bitter. Goalkeeper Samuel Sahin‑Radlinger saved a penalty from Pau Victor, and Manfred Fischer’s shot hit the post, yet the momentum was missing.
Trainer Stephan Helm noted, “Wir haben gespürt, wir können mehr mitnehmen, zumindest das 0‑1,” and promised a passionate performance in the return leg. Opposing coach Carlos Vicens warned, “Wir wissen, dass uns ein extrem harter Kampf bevorsteht,” after observing Austria’s capabilities.
Contrast underlines the stakes
The juxtaposition of Rapid’s renewed confidence, backed by Heimvorteil and a late equaliser, against Austria’s lingering Ärger from a 0‑2 deficit illustrates how divergent Ausgangspositionen can shape the path to the Conference‑League‑Ligaphase. The coming weeks will reveal whether Rapid can convert its advantage into progression, while Austria must overcome a Mammutaufgabe to stay in the Europacup‑Qualifikation.