15 Minutes Cost Rapid Winning Streak in "Outstanding Atmosphere"

Nine games, eight wins – and now a draw.

SK Rapid's winning streak may have been broken in the first leg against Heart of Midlothian FC, but with a 2-2 draw, all chances of advancing past the UEFA Conference League playoffs remain open. The decision will be made on Wednesday in Vienna's west.

The starting position could have been a little more comfortable. The Hütteldorfers were superior for most of the first half, and consequently took the lead. The fact that it was only 1-0 at half-time was also due to a strong Hearts goalkeeper, Beau Reus.

15 Minutes Slightly Spoil the Conclusion

But then they lost their rhythm – long enough for the Scottish vice-champions to get back into the game. Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao deflected a cross into his own net, then James Wilson perfectly struck a shot from around 30 meters – the game was turned around in seven minutes.

"He hit that brilliantly. I was standing a bit further forward because I wanted to support the defenders," Niklas Hedl explained his unfavorable positioning on ORF.

Johannes Hoff Thorup would have liked to take more from the game: "I'm disappointed about the 15 minutes in the second half. We knew that the momentum can shift quickly in a stadium like this. We didn't play well with the ball there. Then it was too easy for them to take the ball from us."

Just Shoot

The fact that they avoided defeat was then thanks to substitute Nikolaus Wurmbrand, who tried his luck with power and was successful.

"There was so much going on in front of the opponent's goal. I just hammered it and saw what happened," said the equalizer scorer.

"We did really well as a team again in the last 20 minutes. If we perform to our potential, we can beat the opponent," he remained confident.

Lasting Impression

Especially since there is now the conviction that they can hurt Hearts with their own game. If they manage to stay on track.

"Overall, we put in a good performance. The first half was good, they had no chances at all," the coach also remained satisfied. "But my players have the ambition to achieve even more. I like that about them."

"The match will stay with all of us for a long time, the atmosphere was outstanding," Hedl admitted that the surroundings could also help the opponent. However, this advantage will be on the side of Green-White in six days.