Robert Klauß’s confident team deservedly won 3-0 (2-0) against the frightening favorites DSV Leoben on Wednesday and will therefore face the winner of the Thursday match between series champions Salzburg and the defending cup champions in the final on May 1st in Klagenfurt Sturm Graz (8.45 p.m./live ORF one).
Rapid, who made the preliminary decision before the break thanks to comebacker Guido Burgstaller (26th) and Christoph Lang (41st) and scored a third time in added time through Fally Mayulu (91st), is now reaching for its 15th cup title, the first since 1995. It is an undertaking that Green-White only failed in the final in 2017, 2019 and 2023. Leoben, currently second in the 2nd league, said goodbye to the competition with his head held high after his remarkable cup season with victories over WSG Tirol, WAC and most recently Altach, among others, despite a harmless performance.
Rapid acted in two places in the Monte Schlacko Arena, which was sold out with around 8,500 spectators, compared to their most recent league victory in Hartberg: right-back Neraysho Kasanwirjo came on for Moritz Oswald, and Burgstaller returned in attack after his three-game ban. Marco Grüll moved back into the attacking midfield instead of Isak Jansson.
Leoben had the first top chance
Rapid’s attempt to become dangerous with possession and culture of play failed in the early stages due to Leoben’s aggressive defense. Rather, it was the home team who had the first great chance after Winfred Amoah’s nice dribbling and pass to Kevin Friesenbichler. The former Austria striker clearly missed the goal from the five-pointer (15th).
Rapid became more dangerous. First, Burgstaller stumbled on his shot from the turn in the penalty area (18th), shortly afterwards he fed Matthias Seidl, who, in a promising position, aimed far over (19th). The goal was ultimately scored by someone from Leoben, Drini Halili deflected a Burgstaller shot into his own goal – but the Rapid goalgetter was credited with making it 1-0.
Quickly consider the lead
The green-white superiority against an increasingly inattentive Leoben defense had another impact before the break. Burgstaller lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but Lang, who was chasing, grabbed it and used it from a few meters into the near corner.
The guests controlled the game even after the break, Seidl only failed to score a five-pointer on the hour mark because of DSV goalie Florian Wiegele, and a little later Burgstaller missed slightly with a low shot (67′). Leoben’s efforts to score the next goal mostly fizzled out in midfield; top goalgetter Deni Alar was completely unavailable that evening. Only in the finish did something more come from the Styrians. Because a shot from captain Nico Pichler from 17 meters only hit the bar (78th), the Rapid fans were spared unnecessary trembling. When Leoben’s strength dwindled in stoppage time, Mayulu secured the final score with the inside bar.
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Source: Nachrichten
