Green-white on the upswing

A lot done right – now Rapid must reap the rewards

Rapid is on the upswing.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Change of coach, veto on Grüll sale - Rapid 2024 has been unbeatable so far. Now the decisive weeks begin: The battle for third place and, above all, the Cup final - two chances for guaranteed European Cup millions.

Of course, it was "only" a penalty. But the conviction and aplomb with which Marco Grüll chased the ball under the crossbar in Salzburg in the 96th minute to make it 1:1 was a statement. The 25-year-old is in the form of his life. Eight goals and four assists in 2024 alone - Grüll is often the decisive reason why Rapid are unbeaten in ten games.

Marco Grüll leaves Rapid for Werder Bremen in the summer.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Grüll: "Lost" transfer fee recouped
"My assessment was correct," says Markus Katzer happily. In the winter, Union Berlin offered a high six-figure sum; with realistic bonuses, the transfer fee would have risen to 1.2 million euros. But Rapids' sporting director vetoed the offer - which not everyone at the club approved of. Katzer was convinced that Grüll would not let himself down. And although the winger will move to Werder Bremen on a free transfer in the summer, he has already recouped the "lost" transfer fee (championship group, cup final).

The timing of Barisic's transfer in the fall was also not without risk. Now nobody contradicts Katzer when he claims: "We have a brutally good coaching team." Robert Klauß has done little, actually nothing wrong so far. Even if he ran out of steam after the break in Salzburg without a cup rotation. "But the reaction to the 0:1 was then strong," enthuses Katzer about the "incredible team spirit, great cohesion". After the equalizer, all the coaches and substitutes rushed towards the jubilant Grüll.

Decisive weeks
The draw with the champions was well-deserved and no coincidence - the upheaval in the squad (10 additions, 14 departures) is taking effect: "We now also have the physical quality," said Katzer. "That is bearing fruit." Now the decisive weeks begin: The battle for third place and, above all, the cup final - two chances at guaranteed European Cup millions. "We've set ourselves up in such a way that we're very difficult to beat," says Katzer.

But in the summer, Grüll, the loan players Kongolo and Kasanwijro, probably Querfeld, perhaps Hedl and Seidl will be gone - so Rapid must reap the rewards now!