[ad_1]
You can lose at Arsenal, even 1: 4 (match report >>>).
SK Rapid definitely couldn’t plan to hijack London points. However, it is a bit surprising that the approach was a bit like giving up before kickoff.
Although the Viennese already had the “final” against Molde on the last day of the Europa League group stage, it is surprising that they did not want to sell themselves and possibly be surprised at the Emirates Stadium with the best team (click here for the review individual >>>).
It was foreseeable that there would be a small turnover. It is also understandable that some players walk on their gums after intense weeks. However, it is not that the Hütteldorfer with a clear B-Eleven had no order from the first minute and that they benefited from the kindness of the Gunners who did not completely sink. Furthermore, he would not have needed any additional motivation to show his true colors in the climax against Arsenal.
Therefore, the question to coach Didi Kühbauer was justified: Why? “We knew we needed a good performance. We rotated for various reasons. The Molde game is then the most important game – with a win we can hibernate,” said Rapid’s supervisor, explaining his considerations.
Above all, he says: “Even with the best line-up it would have been very difficult, so the loss is as it is. But we still have a lot of games in the coming weeks and we still need a team that works.”
“Are there other games that we really want to win?”
With Maximilian Hofmann, Maximilian Ullmann and Marcel Ritzmaier, only three regular players remained in the basic lineup after the 1-1 draw in the Vienna Derby. The total makeover even gave Paul Gartler a shot at the door, as Richard Strebinger ran in his place.
And on the front row, Deni Alar made his season debut in the starting eleven after two Joker appearances in the Bundesliga. The same applies to the only 20-year-old Lion Schuster, who had to work hard in defensive midfield. As if that wasn’t enough, Joker Lukas Sulzbacher even made his first appearance for Rapid’s pros, at the Emirates Stadium, away from Arsenal.
Did they deserve the list? “I can field eleven men,” defends Kühbauer. “Everyone on the field tried to get their performance.” Young people like Schuster or Yusuf Demir would have been very good.
“In principle we lost, but there are other games that we really want to win. You need a great day against Arsenal, we didn’t. But other teams have already experienced the same here.”
“We also wanted to surprise against Arsenal, but …”
In the end, Kühbauer could have done everything right. Thanks to Dundalk’s final 3-1 consolation goal in Molde, Rapid is enough to earn a 1-0 home win against the Norwegians and qualify for the knockout stage. Then after two 1-0 wins for the home teams, the goal difference for Rapid would decide.
Dundalk’s goal came in the 95th minute; otherwise, you may have had bigger problems due to goal difference. “We definitely didn’t know what the score was. But that was the first thing I wanted to know afterward,” Kühbauer admitted. “That was good for us. Now we need a good performance against Molde.”
Also: “We wanted to surprise here too, but you need an extraordinary performance, which was not this time.” Also, you are not able to keep up with the size of the squad, and you have had to deal with a rival where each player is worth more than ten million euros.
“The defeat is deserved, unfortunately we did not get into the game well, we were 2-0 down at 20 minutes. So it is very difficult to come back,” said the 49-year-old.
Rapid didn’t dare to do enough
Although his team had never played together in this constellation, he had more confidence in them, especially in the weak first half when Rapid had no chance.
“For me we did not trust ourselves too much towards the front in the first half, and in the back we did not defend as we have to defend against Arsenal. That meant we went into the break with a 3-0 break. Then we reached the second half. Second half. Well started with the goal, we had a moment when more could have been possible, but we destroyed ourselves with 1: 4, “said Kühbauer.
Defender veteran Mario Sonnleitner also has to admit: “We were always a step late. We couldn’t take the pressure off at all. You can see Arsenal’s class, they always played fast. We were a little better in the second half.” But He also admitted that the Gunners slowed down and played the game at home.
Don’t worry about Hofmann and Demir
You will never know what would have been possible with the starting eleven. Despite all the rotation, Rapid has to shake for two players. Maximilian Hofmann stayed in the locker room at halftime, Yusuf Demir had to leave the field with stomach cramps.
Hofmann felt something in his foot, with Demir it was a cramp in the stomach area, as confirmed by the technician. “What I’ve seen now, feels better. I guess they will both come back next time.” Demir again on Sunday against Hartberg, Hofmann, due to suspension, then in the all or nothing game against Molde.
Then there will be no more moderation and no more excuses. The 1: 4 at Arsenal should be quickly erased from players’ minds. “I do not think that we are going to bury our heads in the sand,” confirms Kühbauer and awaits the final against Molde.
Text as: © LAOLA1.at
Grades! LAOLA1’s unique review of Arsenal – Rapid
to the top » COMMENT_COUNT comments
User comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the LAOLA1 editorial team. LAOLA1 reserves the right to remove comments without giving reasons, especially if they violate criminal or civil law regulations, contradict common decency, or go against LAOLA1’s reputation. In this context, we refer in particular to our Terms of Use. In such cases, the user cannot assert any claim. Furthermore, Sportradar Media Services GmbH reserves the right to assert claims for damages and report criminal law offenses.
