Derby Winners Rapid: "One of our Worse Games"

What Makes a Good Team

Contrary to what the final score might suggest, the league leaders from Hütteldorf did not dominate the derby against the eleventh-placed team at will. Initially, Rapid appeared stronger, but from the 20th minute, Wiener Austria was much better in the game for a long time.

"Austria didn't play badly; we also had a bit of luck with the shot against the crossbar (by Markovic, editor's note)," admits Jannes Horn.

The German also had critical words for his own team: "We know that today was one of our poorer games. But a good team is characterized by winning even such matches. We were aware before the game that a derby is always a special match, even if Austria is going through a difficult phase."

Goalkeeper Hedl, meanwhile, speaks of "a tough piece of work, but that's precisely why it feels even better now."

After the half-time break, the match became more balanced again. However, it was only through Yusuf Demir's penalty goal (60') that Rapid swung the game in their favour. Ercan Kara was fouled by Aleks Dragovic; the 23-year-old casually converted the penalty kick down the middle.

"He simply has a lot, a lot of self-confidence right now," says Horn, who doesn't want to say too much about his teammate. "You (the media, editor's note) are already doing that enough, but he has also earned it by simply delivering very good performances week after week."

Jeder weiß, wie Yussi zurzeit drauf ist, dass er vielleicht sogar der beste Spieler der ganzen Bundesliga ist.

Niklas Hedl über Yusuf Demir

Hedl's praise is somewhat more extensive: "Everyone knows how Yussi is performing right now, that he might even be the best player in the entire Bundesliga. Taking penalties with confidence, he can do that."

The goalie witnesses Demir's strong phase in training firsthand: "When he aims somewhere, he hits it. No matter if the goalkeeper moves or not. Today he opted for the middle."

22 minutes after Demir's penalty, an own goal by Austria, following a header from substitute Claudy Mbuyi, provided the decisive breakthrough.

Horn's Vindication

Shortly thereafter, Horn was also substituted off. The defender went into the game carrying a knock, yet had only one thought in mind: "Hopefully to win the game and celebrate in the locker room."

Horn had not been able to win the previous four derbies with Rapid. In the last game against Austria, he had to be substituted injured after just 25 minutes. "That really hurt a lot, and I then made up my mind to win the next derby no matter what."

To achieve that, "you sometimes push through a bit of pain – I gladly did that, and it was worth it." Including "not just one" painkiller, as he himself admits.

Nevertheless, celebrations will now take place. For this, the Rapid players will travel to Hütteldorf after the victory, as away fans are still not allowed at the Vienna derbies until 2029. "There's still a bit planned. I'm going to take a quick shower now, and then something else will definitely happen," said Horn.