Conference League
LIVE: Rapid defense plays with fire!
SK Rapid picked up their first point in the sixth and final game of the Conference League phase, but missed out on a win - their first - at the last minute!
The Hütteldorfer drew 1-1 at Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday to finish 36th and last in the competition. "Euro-Louis" Schaub gave Green-White the lead in the eleventh minute, the 1:1 in the 93rd minute was the result of an own goal by Nenad Cvetkovic.
Rapid go into the winter break after seven games without a win. It had looked good at first. The Viennese side survived a moment of shock after 78 seconds - Niklas Hedl made a strong save to keep out a volley from Nemanja Biblija - and took the lead soon afterwards.
The goal for Rapid was the result of the visitors' best move of the entire match. Nikolaus Wurmbrand beat two opponents and passed to Romeo Amane, who set up Furkan Demir on the right wing. Schaub converted the 21-year-old's cross with a spectacular header via the inside of the bar. It was the 30-year-old's 20th European Cup goal for Rapid.
Rapid under pressure after taking the lead
However, the lead did not have a liberating effect on Rapid, quite the opposite: Zrinjski became stronger and Rapid's back four, which had an average age of 20.5 years, often got into trouble. It became particularly dangerous in the 32nd minute when Ivancic curled the ball relatively close to the goal. Duje Dujmovic also headed straight at Hedl from close range just before the half-time whistle.
Tobias Gulliksen, the replacement for the suspended Matthias Seidl, remained in the dressing room for the break. Jonas Auer came on for the ineffective record signing and Rapid switched to a back three. The Bosnians dictated the game and repeatedly penetrated the penalty area, but there were no compelling chances to score.
After around 70 minutes, Rapid managed to keep their opponents further away from goal and started to take the initiative themselves - substitute Claudy Mbuyi hit the outside of the net in the 73rd minute. The Viennese did not really pose any further danger in defense for a long time, and there was nothing to suggest that Zrinjski would equalize - until substitute Cvetkovic headed the ball into his own goal after Karlo Abramovic had played it in. Zrinjski thus made it into the play-off.
The result:
HSK Zrinjski Mostar - SK Rapid 1:1 (0:1)
Mostar, Zrinjski Stadium, refereed by Barbara (MLT)
Goals: 0:1 (11.) Schaub, 1:1 (93.) Cvetkovic (own goal)
Yellow cards: Dujmovic, Savic or Schöller, Demir
Zrinjski: Karacic - Memija (64. Damascan), Barisic (79. Cavar), Masic, Dujmovic, Mamic - Mikic (79. Sakota), Savic, Ivancic, Cuze (12. Pranjic) - Bilbija (64. Abramovic)
Rapid: Hedl - Demir, Schöller, Ahoussou, Gröller (80. Cvetkovic) - Amane, Lu. Grgic - Schaub (80. Antiste), Gulliksen (46. Auer), Wurmbrand (65. Weixelbraun) - Kara (65. Mbuyi)
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