Crazy final phase

Red Bull Salzburg vs Rapid LIVE from 5pm

Huge celebration for the Hütteldorfer

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

For a long time, it had looked like the game would end in a draw before Karim Konaté (87') put leaders Red Bull Salzburg ahead against SK Rapid on Sunday. Easy come, easy go: Marco Grüll converted a penalty in the 96th minute to make the final score 1:1.

Red Bull Salzburg are now just three points ahead of Sturm Graz in the championship group of the Bundesliga. Shortly after the Styrians' 1-0 home draw against LASK, the defending champions only managed a 1-1 draw against Rapid in front of 15,064 fans in Wals-Siezenheim after goals from Karim Konate (87th) and Marco Grüll (96th/penalty). The fact that they have not been beaten in 22 competitive games against the green-and-whites is probably little consolation for the "Bulls", especially as one-man striker Fernando was injured again.

Many chances, no goals
Rapid, who have improved to third place, had a clear advantage in chances in the first half. As early as the third minute, Christoph Lang missed the target by a hair's breadth, a few seconds later a shot from Guido Burgstaller flew past the far corner. With the exception of a Fernando shot saved by Niklas Hedl (17'), Salzburg initially had nothing to report in offense.

In the 21st minute, luck was on the side of the home side. After a successful set-piece from Rapid, Roko Simic prevented an own goal from Luka Sucic with the help of the bar, and seconds later Leopold Querfeld headed wide from a few meters out.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Fernando out injured
The next upset followed shortly afterwards: Fernando apparently suffered another muscle injury during a sprint. The Brazilian had already been out for several months due to such injuries. The Mozartstädter's injury list was already long before that. Maurits Kjaergaard is unlikely to play again this season, while Oscar Gloukh was also absent against Rapid due to muscle problems.

Fernando had to come off injured.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

As a result, Salzburg made six changes to their starting line-up compared to the 3:4 in the Cup semi-final against Sturm on Thursday, while Rapid fielded the same line-up as in the 3:0 in Leoben. The newly-formed hosts only got into the game better towards the end of the first half, with a header from Konate creating danger (45.+4).

The second half began with two good opportunities for Salzburg. Aleksa Terzic missed from a good position (47') and Hedl was on hand to save a header from Konate (48'). Gerhard Struber's team were now clearly in control, but - apart from a Konate shot that Hedl kept out (68') - were not really dangerous for long.

Karim Konaté scored late on to make it 1:0.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Grüll scores ice-cold
That changed in the 87th minute. Petar Ratkov, who had come on as a substitute, broke through on the left, his pass came via Nikolas Sattlberger to Konate, who fired in the supposed winner. Rapid threw everything forward once more and Salzburg goalkeeper Alexander Schlager had to stretch to save a header from Terence Kongolo (91'). Marco Grüll was responsible for the equalizer - the leading scorer slammed a penalty caused by a handball by Terzic under the crossbar. Rapid thus remain unbeaten this year.

Red Bull Salzburg - SK Rapid 1:1 (0:0)
Wals-Siezenheim, Red Bull Arena, 15,064, referee Kijas

Goals: 1:0 (87') Konate, 1:1 (96') Grüll (penalty)

Salzburg: Schlager - Terzic, Pavlovic, Solet, Guindo - Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath (62. Koita), Sucic, Forson (80. Diambou) - Simic (62. Ratkov), Fernando (25. Konate)

Rapid: Hedl - Kasanwirjo, Querfeld, Kongolo, Auer - Grgic (73. Kerschbaum), Sattlberger - Lang (64. Jansson), M. Seidl (85. Oswald), Grüll - Burgstaller (64. Mayulu)

Yellow cards: Pavlovic or Sattlberger, Kasanwirjo