A few diehard football fans caused chaos right at the start of the game.
Flare rocket hits next to Rapid-Profi
The game was interrupted after just a few seconds when a flare hit the field in the dry, freezing cold of minus three degrees Celsius. Unbelievable: As you can see on the television pictures, the flare just missed a Rapid player – Rapid’s newcomer Denso Kasius was very lucky.
APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU
Bengal fire repeatedly caused interruptions in the Bundesliga game between Sturm Graz and Rapid Wien.
This was not only an extremely dangerous action, but also one with serious consequences for the few fan chaos. Because the pyro scandal will probably have an aftermath with high penalties for both clubs.
Pyrotechnics disrupt the game
In terms of sport, the cracker between Salzburg’s first pursuer, Sturm Graz, and record champions, Rapid Wien, would have had enough fuel, but for some fans that wasn’t enough despite the longest winter break. Bengal fires were lit in both fan sectors even before kick-off and throughout the duel.
Ex-bull David Affengruber keeps title fight exciting
Sturm Graz had the better ending in a thrilling spring start to the Bundesliga. Graz defeated Rapid 1-0 (0-0) at home on Friday evening and are currently only three points behind series champions Salzburg in second place. Salzburg host Austria Lustenau on Saturday (5:00 p.m.). Substitute ex-bull David Affengruber scored the decisive goal in front of 15,517 spectators in Graz with a header in added time (91st).
Rapid Vienna loses contact with the top of the table
After 17 laps, Rapid are already 12 points short of storming, on Saturday there is a risk of losing fourth place. The Hütteldorfer had long offered the second in the table very well. After an avoidable foul by Martin Moormann, Affengruber extended a free-kick cross from Manprit Sarkaria, who was also on the bench, into the far corner. Rapid has not won eight league games in a row against Sturm.
Salzburg’s Patrick Greil in Vienna’s starting eleven
At Rapid, Denso Kasius played for the first time on loan from Bologna. In addition to the right-back, Leopold Querfeld in defense and Salzburg’s Patrick Greil in midfield center were new to the starting lineup compared to the cup quarter-finals a week ago at WAC (3-1 aet).
Luck was on our side today and we won thanks to David’s last-minute goal #Affengruber against @skrapid with 1:0! ?????????⚫️⚪️ #sturmgraz #STUSCR #AdmiralBL
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STU 1:0 SCR | ⏱️90+5′ pic.twitter.com/Chwua0RGzs— SK Sturm Graz (@SKSturm) February 10, 2023
Sturm started without the injured Jakob Jantscher and William Böving with the same eleven as a week earlier in the cup promotion in a penalty shoot-out in Salzburg. However, defender Gregory Wüthrich had to be replaced by Affengruber shortly before the break due to an adductor injury.
Grüll finds a good chance
Sturm found the first big chance through Albian Ajeti, who failed to get a header from Alexander Prass on goal (5′). Rapid bothered Graz early on, won more duels before the break and was good in the game. Salzburg’s Marco Grüll shot from a good position at Guido Burgstaller, who was offside (22′).
Horvat goal in Graz does not count
On the other side, Tomi Horvat made the Sturm fans cheer in the sold-out Merkur Arena. The Slovene’s remarkable goal from just outside the penalty area, after duplicating Rapid’s defense with two hooks inside, didn’t count after VAR intervention (29′). According to the referee team, Emanuel Emegha was not only just offside at the moment of the shot, but also in the field of vision of Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl. Storm coach Christian Ilzer reacted angrily and saw yellow.
A late goal prevented a point in Graz. For yesterday’s match report. ????
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???? @Red_Ring_Shots#STUSCR #scraps #SCR2023 pic.twitter.com/VnyCfEsLkO— SK Rapid (@skrapid) February 11, 2023
In a very intense game, Sturm struggled for a long time and made more mistakes than usual when building up the game. A half-volley from Emegha was no problem for Hedl (38′). Rapid sometimes posed problems for the Grazer back line. Greil played a bad cross pass in a promising position (39th). Wüthrich, who was already slightly injured after the cup fight in Salzburg, was also injured in the action.
Smoke development stops the flow of the game
After changing sides, Sturm was closer to the lead for the time being. Hedl responded brilliantly to a deflected shot by Otar Kiteishvili, who broke through (60′). Rapid continued to find a few counterattack opportunities, but were unable to find a goal from Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo, who made an unspectacular home debut in storm dress.
Fifteen minutes before the end, the game was interrupted again because of heavy smoke from the stands. Okonkwo parried a Kasius shot from the edge of the penalty area with his fists (85′) before Affengruber struck on the other end.
Barisic signs as Rapid coach until 2025
Sturm have been unbeaten against Rapid in the league since January 2021. At that time it started in Vienna 1:4. Grazers have only lost one league game this season – on August 20th at home against LASK (0:1). Rapid conceded their second defeat in the eighth league game since Zoran Barisic returned to the coaching bench. This is offset by five wins and one draw. Before the game, Barisic had signed a new contract as head coach until 2025.
(Source: SALZBURG24/APA)
