Zero number for Rapid Vienna: First point after changing coach!

Zero number for Rapid Vienna: First point after changing coach!

Yesterday's Bundesliga game between Rapid Vienna and Blau-Weiß Linz ended goalless and 0-0. This was the first game for Rapid Vienna after parting ways with coach Robert Klauß, and the team was finally able to gain a point this season. In front of 19,339 spectators in the stadium, however, it was a game that was characterized by a lack of goal area scenes.

Rapid Vienna started the match with commitment and put forward some promising attacks right from the start. Dion Beljo and Louis Schaub had two good chances in the first five minutes, but all of them were saved by goalkeeper Radek Vitek. Despite the powerful start, Rapid found no way to overcome Blau-Weiß Linz's stable defense.

Coaching debut and lineup

Coach Zoran Kulovits lined up his team in a 4-2-3-1 basic formation. Wingers such as Schaub and Isak Jansson were tasked with attacking duties, while the defensive midfield was led by Amane and Sangare as Grgic was sidelined due to injury. Amin Gröller and Ange Ahoussou formed the central defense, while Oswald Auer initially sat on the bench.

However, after a promising start, Rapid Vienna's performance declined. Linz was more active in the duels and hardly allowed Rapid to develop in their own half. In the 40th minute it looked as if Blue and White would take the lead thanks to a header from Manuel Maranda, but according to video evidence the goal was disallowed for offside.

Missed opportunities and a sending off

In the second half, Rapid increased the pressure, but was only able to create little offense. Blau-Weiß Linz was the more dangerous team in this phase and had several good opportunities. Ronivaldo hit the crossbar with a header in the 66th minute, and Conor Noß's shot in the 67th minute was saved by Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl. Amin Gröller was able to clear another attempt from Noß just in front of the line in the 73rd minute.

Rapid only had one notable finish in the final stages when Isak Jansson hit the side netting. To make matters worse, Guido Burgstaller was shown the red card in the 83rd minute after a challenge, which made the situation even more difficult for Rapid. In stoppage time, Sangare had a final shot from 20 meters, but it also missed the target.

With this draw, Rapid Vienna remains in fifth place in the Bundesliga championship group, but with a one point lead. Rapid's record in the last 15 league games clearly shows the team's difficulties: 9 defeats, 3 draws and only 3 wins, which underlines the urgency of the upcoming games.