TSV Hartberg was the declared feared opponent this season Rapid Vienna. In the regular season, the Hütteldorfers were behind in both duels with a score of 0-1.
In the Master group Rapid hit back in an impressive manner on Easter Sunday and ended the Hartberg curse. Three goals from Marco Grüll gave Rapid three important points. In his first match after being suspended because of the events surrounding the derby, the offensive player was the man of the game
Schauplatz Hartberg
The Rapid team started like an attack in Hartberg and clearly caught the home team off on the wrong foot. Isak Jansson Hartberg goalie made it 1-0 after just a few seconds Raphael Sallinger was able to parry the shot.
A little later the time had come: after a pass from the strong Jansson, who was busy on the left side Marco Grüll free to shoot. The striker didn’t miss the chance and pushed the ball precisely into the goal – 0:1 (3rd)
After the false start, the Hartbergers had problems getting into the game. It was only after half an hour that Rapid had to overcome their first difficult situation: goalkeeper Niklas Hedl was against Donis Avdijaj zur Stelle (31.).
Misfires from Komposch
Die Hütteldorfer dictated the match and had the chance to make it 2-0 through Isak Jansson (37th) and Christoph Lang (40th), but both of them hit the ball over the goal. The guests had a Hartberger to thank for the fact that Rapid still went into the dressing room with a 2-0 lead: Paul Komposch unmotivatedly raised his arm in the air when he received a cross and “gave” Rapid a penalty. Marco Grüll didn’t miss the opportunity – 0:2 (43rd).
They continued to act even after the break Rapidler very confident and didn’t let anything burn. Hartberg tried to use unsuitable means on offense and rarely appeared dangerous in front of Niklas Hedl’s goal.
In the finish it became even clearer: Marco Grüll, who else?, secured the clear away win shortly before the end with his third goal. Rapid is thus extending a successful run: If Marco Grüll scores this season, then the Green-Whites will not have lost a match. The next guest game in Styria is already waiting during the week: Rapid will face second division team Leoben in the ÖFB Cup semi-final.
Location Linz
The SHOT so you can still win. After a false start to 2024, the Linzers found their way back to success in the home game against Austria Klagenfurt and celebrated their first win since December 2023.
The LASK players’ uncertainty was particularly noticeable in the first 45 minutes. Thomas Sageder’s team had not scored a goal in five games in a row, and the offensive actions in the first half were therefore manageable and harmless.
A standard situation was needed to end the goal drought. After a corner was the central defender Felix Luckeneder header and put LASK in the lead – 1-0 (58th).
Two minutes later, Moses Usor had the chance to make it 2-0, but his lob narrowly missed the goal.
With the score at 1-0, Linz played more freely and dictated the game. In the end, the home team managed a deserved home win.