SK Rapid makes a statement at LASK

Statement victory against the double winner!

On Matchday 8 of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, SK Rapid wins 2-0 at LASK and thus reclaims the top spot in the table. The Hütteldorf side is now three points ahead of Salzburg. LASK is third with 16 points.

The match started intensely, but without real chances for either side. Rapid sought to control the game, while LASK pressed high repeatedly.

Crossbar to Start

The visitors then had the first really big chance: Bolla found Kara with a cross from the half-space, who volleyed the sharp delivery against the crossbar (8.). It's already the eighth time the Hütteldorf side has hit the woodwork this season.

Three minutes later, Andrade blocked a Demir shot, which also came from a cross.

However, LASK also had promising situations in the opening fifteen minutes. After a Kalajdzic header, offside was called, and in another situation, a Rapid defender intercepted a cross-pass.

From the tenth minute onwards, the Hütteldorf side controlled the game more and more, and also improved offensively – primarily through Dahl. However, Demir had the best chance in this phase: Kara fumbled in the box, and after Adamsen won the ball back, the right winger failed to beat Jungwirth from a few meters out (18.).

Kalajdzic's Offside Volley Goal

After a Demir cross, Kara didn't connect ideally with his header (30.). After that, the hosts were able to create chances upfront again themselves.

And LASK's first real chance immediately found the back of the net. Kalajdzic spectacularly finished a Jörgensen cross with a jumping volley – but the cross-provider was offside when Horvath played the ball, as confirmed after a VAR check.

Towards the end of the first half, the game became a wild back-and-forth affair. Jungwirth made a strong save against Dahl, before the LASK goalie came out well during a Rapid counter-attack. At the other end, Lang hit the side netting.

At the second attempt

The Hoff-Thorup eleven carried the momentum from large parts of the first half into the start of the second period.

After several minutes in which Rapid controlled the match, the lead finally came: Bolla with a low cross into the box, which Kara converted only at the second attempt. Jungwirth saved the first shot from minimal distance, but Kara just managed to push the rebound over the line (58.).

Bitter for LASK: Bello remained on the ground injured just before, leaving LASK short-handed at the moment of the goal, which coincidentally came from his left defensive side. Shortly after, Didi Kühbauer reacted with two substitutions: Usor and Dibango replaced Lang and Bello.

Usor forced off injured after a few minutes

The substitutions quickly showed their effect, as LASK subsequently looked more dangerous going forward. Usor shot wide from around the penalty spot, but was offside.

Even before this situation, the striker seemed to have injured his shoulder, as he left the field a few moments after the chance. Since Kühbauer only made his substitution afterwards, LASK played a few minutes with ten men. During this phase, Jörgensen missed the equalizer from the far post. He slid the ball over (73.).

Shortly after, Adeniran and Schöpf came on for Usor and Ljubicic, while Haidara replaced Adamsen for the Green-Whites.

A Golden Touch

However, Kalajdzic had the next opportunity, but Horn blocked his powerful shot (76.). After a corner, Jörgensen tried his luck from about 14 meters, this time Bolla blocked it. Tornich headed over from close range in the next situation (79.) – and that was about to take its revenge.

Hoff Thorup then brought on Schaub and Mbuyi. The former initiated the attack from midfield, set up Demir, who found the other substitute with a low cross. Mbuyi converted with his first touch of the ball, calmly slotting it home (82.).

It was the decisive moment in a worthy top match, as the visitors saw out the lead. LASK will next face Liverpool on the upcoming Wednesday. Rapid hosts Hartberg on Friday.