SK Rapid Vienna utilized the international break for the UEFA Nations League to travel to Italy for a friendly test match against FC Venezia, securing a narrow victory at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo. Played in front of 2.190 spectators—including roughly 1.000 traveling supporters from Vienna—the match was decided by an early 13th-minute strike from Lion Lauberbach.
Fixture History and Fan Ties in Venice
More than a year prior, Rapid and Venezia had played out a 1:1 draw in Hütteldorf. These meetings are arranged in large part due to an active fan friendship between the two opposing supporter camps that has endured for over 26 years. The match in Venice drew a strong contingent of Austrian supporters who made the journey to the historic Italian city.
Squad Adjustments and Personnel Updates
Rapid traveled to Italy on Thursday without midfielder Yusuf Demir, who missed the fixture due to illness. Meanwhile, manager Johannes Hoff Thorup integrated returning personnel into the lineup, giving French striker Claudy Mbuyi his first start of the calendar year. Mbuyi had previously made a late substitute appearance during Rapid’s 3:0 victory against WSG Tirol in domestic competition following a meniscal injury.
Upcoming Fixtures and League Restart
Following the friendly assignment in Italy, the Rapid squad was granted a brief break to recover ahead of the league’s three-week international pause. Thorup’s side will return to Austrian Bundesliga action on October 11, when they face defending champions LASK away in a high-profile fixture scheduled for a 17:00 local time kickoff.
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