The Rapid celebration with Cvetkovic was followed by anger over “arrogance”

Even though it wasn’t enough for a win in the end, Rapid’s goal was special. At least for Nenad Cvetkovic.

It took 30 games before he was able to celebrate his first goal for Rapid. The 28-year-old Serb completed a header assist from central defense partner Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao into the Irish goal to make it 1-0. His celebration showed that the goal was particularly important to Cvetkovic. “At first there was relief because I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. And when I heard the fans, the joy came too.”

Trainer Robert Klauss was happy for Cvetkovic: “Of his chances to score the first goal, this was probably the most difficult finish. He had many better opportunities with his head.”

“Annoys me extremely”

But Klauß was also annoyed: “We start the second half exactly as we shouldn’t. Carelessly and comfortably. We bring the opponent back into the game and get the equalizer. This phase after the break annoys me extremely.”

Although Cvetkovic has the best defensive header stats in the Bundesliga, his right foot scored the first goal.

“I’m happy for him. He rarely scores in training,” joked Isak Jansson, who was recently injured. The Swede has now returned to team training and could soon make his comeback after a two-month break.

Goodbye

Rapid continues on Sunday with the home game against Blau-Weiß Linz. Rapid still has a score to settle against Linz. Also after a European Cup game (against Sporting Braga), Rapid’s only defeat of the season so far in the Bundesliga was 3-0.

Wants about a possible revenge Robert Klauss don’t say: “That was our worst performance of the season. So we want to make up for something.”

Rapid-Routine Guido Burgstaller criticized quite clearly on Thursday: “We controlled the game well in the first half. In the second half we were sleepy and invited the opponent. We were inaccurate, perhaps arrogant and unfocused. It has happened to us several times this season. We have to learn from this.”