It is the last chance for Austria’s record champions SK Rapid to hibernate in international business. The green-whites win today (9 p.m., ServusTV, Sky) at the Belgian cup winner KRC Genk, the Viennese would fix third place in the Europa League group H and move to the sixteenth finals of the new Conference League. But the task is not only complicated because of the lack of defense chief Maximilian Hofmann (corona disease). KRC Genk, who won the first duel at the Hütteldorfer Allianz Stadium 1-0, enjoys the tailwind of his fans.
In contrast to the ghost games in Austria, stadiums that are fully occupied are allowed in Belgium with the 3G rule, a mask requirement and no consumption option. The atmosphere in the Luminus Arena, which holds more than 21,000 spectators at international games, is impressive.
Nevertheless, Rapids Neo-Trainer Ferdinand Feldhofer is confident: “I have a clear picture of Genk. I think that we can hurt our opponents with the way we play football.”
The Belgians are in a sporting crisis, which culminated in a coach change after seven matches without complete success. Now the German Bernd Storck, who led Hungary to a 2-0 victory over Austria at EURO 2016, is swinging the scepter.
It works for storm today (6.45pm, Sky) in the home game against Monaco only for an honorable farewell to the Europa League – maybe with the first win.
Source: Nachrichten
