The 5-0 win against Rapid was a huge step towards finishing the season in third place. After the record win against the Viennese was set, the team was celebrated by the fans. “They got a lot of beatings. Now they can enjoy the fact that they are good footballers,” said interim coach Thomas Darazs, who praised his kickers after their third win in the fourth game under his leadership.
A lot succeeded. Sascha Horvath scored his first goal of the season. The midfielder recognized a “different system, that we have more players in the center again, that we are playing football again.” It’s working really well at the moment. “Still, we have to stay on the ground. Two weeks ago we were booed and now we’re cheering together,” said Horvath.
On Sunday, LASK can make the gap to their pursuers unassailable in Klagenfurt, after which the athletes will be in the title race: After the home game against Sturm Graz (May 12th), the away game in Salzburg (May 19th) concludes the season.
The “worst possible case” occurred at Rapid
At Rapid, coach Robert Klauß has said goodbye to the race for third place because they are eight points behind LASK. The pressure before the cup final on Wednesday against Sturm Graz did not diminish. “Of course we don’t have a good feeling,” admitted striker Marco Grüll after the humiliation in Linz. “The way we performed wasn’t enough in all respects. We can’t just rely on a cup final.”
On Sunday you couldn’t help but get the impression that the Green-Whites were thinking about the big showdown in Klagenfurt. A newly formed team compared to the 1:3 defeat against Sturm Graz conceded three goals within seven minutes after half an hour. “We got the goals far too easily and had no access up front,” complained Grüll. “LASK was able to play whatever it wanted.”
Klauss then found himself in justification mode. “It’s not about sparing players, it’s about the fact that they weren’t available,” said the Rapid coach. “We can’t let them play if they’re not available. So there was no alternative to the lineup except for maybe one position.” The chance of securing a fixed European group phase through third place in the league if one loses to Sturm in the cup is gone. The last chance to secure a longer international campaign early remains the Cup. Grüll hoped that the defeat would not leave any lasting marks. “It can’t stay in your head for long.”
Others were already showing off their anticipation. “We want to enjoy the game on Wednesday and go home with a trophy,” said Leopold Querfeld, whose starting eleven comeback ended at halftime due to stress. You have everything in your own hands, the youngster reminded. “I don’t think about us losing everything, but about what we can gain.”
Klauss admitted that the “worst possible case” had occurred. “We’re getting beaten up here, we’re going home with a bad feeling and we have to go back to Klagenfurt in two days.” In fifth place, Rapid now has a negative season record against all five other championship group competitors. After the home game against Salzburg, we will play away against Klagenfurt, who are currently tied on points, and finally at home against Hartberg. A Vienna derby as a play-off duel for the last international starting place is conceivable.
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Source: Nachrichten
