Rapid's secret derby strategy: fans in incognito!

Rapid's secret derby strategy: fans in incognito!

The 344th Vienna derby between Rapid and Austria is accompanied by a shadow: fan violence and unauthorized actions in the stadium not only cloud the sporting performance, but also the safety of the spectators. Despite the strict security precautions, some Rapid fans managed to appear incognito in the stadium, while the official fan scene remained banned due to a mutual agreement. Loud krone.at Rapid club officials, including President Alexander Wrabetz, respectfully stayed at home, which underlines the legality of the ban. The derby atmosphere was nonetheless marked by the potential for conflict, as some “sleepers,” passionate fans with purple connections, managed to get tickets.

The 343rd edition of the Vienna Derby the day before felt like an ups and down of emotions for Rapid supporters. The club secured top spot with a 2-1 win, but the sporting pleasure was marred by chaos. Violence gripped the pitch as riots broke out and police were deployed the press reports. Rockets, firecrackers and projectiles could be seen at each end, causing concern among investigating authorities. At least one injury has been reported and the Bundesliga is examining possible consequences, including possible point deductions or spectator bans.

Emotional rollercoaster in the stadium

However, the sporting performance of the Rapid players was remarkable: in the 23rd minute they managed to take the lead thanks to a lucky header from Beljo. However, the joy was tempered by Austria conceding a goal in the last minute of the first half before Seidl finally scored the winning goal for Rapid. Despite the repeated incidents of bottles and other objects being thrown during the game, the performance on the field was impressive. “It remains to be seen how the situation will be handled after this derby,” concludes the press together as Rapid focuses on the next challenge at stake while reflecting on the past.