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“That would be more than a drop in the bucket,” Rapid Sports director Zoran Barisic said of the financial outlook. “But the game against Gent has to do with sporting success,” emphasized commercial manager Christoph Peschek.
Unlike the opening game of the European Cup at Lokomotiva Zagreb, which was won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ercan Kara, Rapid are not under as much pressure to succeed this time. Because with the victory in Croatia, the runner-up from Austria has at least been able to participate in the group stage of the Europa League, which brings in an entry of three million euros.
Rapid meets Ghent
Rapid is required in the Champions League qualifying in Belgium. While Gent opponents are in chaos after the coach’s dismissal, Rapidler want to use the self-confidence of the successful start to the season to advance.
“Nothing to lose, everything to gain”
“Ghent is the clear favorite, we are not the favorites, but we still want to progress and give all we can,” Barisic said. “We have nothing to lose, we have everything to gain. If everything fits, we can move on to the next round. “
“I hope that we are brave, that the team realizes its potential, that we have luck on our side and we achieve promotion. But the pressure against Lokomotiva Zagreb was much, much greater than it is now. That’s an extra treat. “
Weak league start from Ghent
Rapid let the rival, who exceeded the knockout stages of the Champions League in 2016, but this year started badly in the championship with four losses in five games, observed several times. “They’re good and they’re peppered with really good individual players who can decide the game at any time,” Barisic wrote. “They are incredibly big and robust and they are very dangerous when the balls are stationary.”
With Georgian team striker Giorgi Kvilitaia, a former Rapidler also has a contract with the club from the port city in northwestern Belgium. “Giorgi shifts between the team seat and the grandstand seat,” says Barisic, knowing the 26-year-old is going through a difficult time. Two years ago, Kvilitaia went from green-white in Vienna to blue-white in Ghent.
Responsibility stretches across multiple shoulders
Also this summer Rapid has had to let go of two experienced players with captain Stefan Schwab and Stephan Auer. “We know that we have lost a bit of quality in the breadth of the squad. However, I am convinced of this team and this squad, ”said Barisic. “The team is well established. The responsibility will now be spread across multiple shoulders.
Given that the transfer window is open until October 5 due to the pandemic, “a lot can still happen, both in terms of withdrawals and newcomers. Right now a lot is happening behind the scenes, but there is still nothing concrete on the table, ”said the sporting director. New captain Dejan Ljubicic and Greek center forward Taxiarchis Fountas are reportedly the main targets of foreign clubs. However, Ljubicic assured on Friday after the 4-1 league win over Admira that he will play the season for Rapid.
