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Coach Dietmar Kühbauer saw things in a similar way. “I think we were the best team, but that doesn’t mean you have to be promoted automatically,” Kühbauer said. “The opportunity evaluation didn’t work out well today. Otherwise, I can’t blame my team.”
Rapid made at least one more mistake in the intense encounter. At 0: 1 – a header from Niklas Dorsch (36th) – the green and white back row team sank into a collective dream. And before the 0: 2 – a penalty happily converted by Roman Yaremtschuk (59th) – Leo Greiml launched an unnecessary attack on the opponent.
Nothing resulted from CL’s third participation after 1996/97 and 2005/06. Rapid progresses to the previously scheduled group stage of the Europa League and takes a three million entry fee. The draw will take place on October 2, the opening round is scheduled for October 22.
In seven main round appearances thus far, promotion has been achieved twice. “Every player wants to play in the Champions League once. But we did everything we could, so we can’t blame ourselves and at least have the Europa League now,” Ljubicic said.
Last year’s Belgian runner-up looked beatable. After a poor start to the season (four defeats in five games) and a manager change the day before the game, Gent clearly looked for security and coordination at the beginning. After six minutes, Rapid knocked on the door three times.
Kühbauer then lost precision and determination. “If they score two or three goals, Gent can do whatever they want,” said the Burgenlander, including a small blow to the ultimately more mature opponent: “They really weren’t up front in the game.”
Kühbauer tried to make up for the 0: 2 with a system change. “With the system change we were able to build up even more pressure, we had good shooting opportunities and we missed because of us.” The connecting goal of “Joker” Yusuf Demir (93.) came too late, Greiml headed the lucky break (95.). Kühbauer: “We are going home now and we know we played a good game, but that doesn’t mean we can buy anything.”
The Belgians, on the other hand, received an additional five million euros for reaching the play-offs. A quick victory would have led to a reunion with Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu. The now 75-year-old coached Shakhtar Donetsk in the final Rapids 2015/16 play-offs and now would have waited with Dynamo Kiev (2-0 against Alkmaar) in the final qualifying round.
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