Rapid Vienna Put Troubles Behind Them To Secure Conference League Win

Rapid Vienna put the troubles of the last week behind them to get up and running in the Europa Conference League.

Die Grün-Weißen started their UEFA Conference League group stage campaign in style, securing a crucial 2-1 victory against İstanbul Başakşehir on Wednesday evening. The Austrian side celebrated a hard-fought win in the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium, their eleventh triumph in 17 competitive fixtures this season. The game was marked by a standout performance from Louis Schaub, who scored twice, sealing Rapid’s success against a Turkish team for the second time in this European campaign.

Schaub, who rejoined Rapid in the summer, had largely flown under the radar in recent months. However, he found the perfect moment to step into the spotlight. His two goals in quick succession either side of half time proved decisive, as the Austrian winger showcased his finishing prowess, propelling his team to victory.

Başakşehir, currently fifth in the Turkish Süper Lig, managed an equaliser through Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek just before half-time. Piatek, who scored Poland’s only goal against Austria at the recent European Championship, found the back of the net deep into stoppage time (45+2’) to level the score at 1-1. However, Schaub’s second goal immediately after the break ensured Rapid left Istanbul with all three points.

This victory gives Rapid a promising start in the group stages, following their earlier success against Trabzonspor in Europa League qualifying. The win also puts them in a strong position ahead of their next group fixture against Armenian side FC Noah at the Allianz Stadium on October 24. But before that, the team has important league matches, with an away fixture against Altach on Sunday and a clash against Hartberg following the international break.

Assistant coach Stefan Kulovits took charge for this fixture, filling in for suspended head coach Robert Klauß, who watched the action from the stands. Kulovits named an unchanged starting XI from Rapid’s 1-1 draw against LASK in the domestic league last weekend, but the Austrian side had to withstand early pressure from the Turkish hosts.

Başakşehir began brightly, with Serdar Gürler rattling the crossbar in the fifth minute with a long-range effort. Another chance soon followed when Olivier Kemen’s volley narrowly missed the target. Rapid’s first real threat came in the 13th minute when Guido Burgstaller found the net after a slick through ball from Matthias Seidl, but the goal was disallowed due to a marginal offside call.

The Austrian side gradually grew into the game, buoyed by their pressing and tenacity in midfield. Lukas Grgic came close to scoring after some neat build-up play by Dion Beljo, but his finishing lacked composure. Beljo himself had a chance soon after but could not convert.

As half-time approached, İstanbul Başakşehir looked the more likely to break the deadlock, with Kemen and Joao Figueiredo both missing promising headers. However, Rapid struck first against the run of play. Schaub, previously quiet throughout the half, collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a spectacular left-footed strike that curled into the far corner.

Just when Rapid seemed poised to take a one-goal lead into the break, they were pegged back by Piatek’s header. The Polish striker rose above Grgic to nod home Gürler’s cross, leaving Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl with no chance.

Rapid’s response to the equaliser was immediate. Within a minute of the second half, Burgstaller sent a low cross into the penalty area, and Schaub pounced again, finishing clinically from eight yards to restore Rapid’s lead.

Beljo had two opportunities to extend Rapid’s advantage shortly afterwards, but his finishing let him down. The Croatian thought he had finally scored when he slotted home in the 72nd minute, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside against Seidl in the build-up, much to the frustration of the travelling Rapid supporters.

Despite the disallowed goal, Rapid held firm against late pressure from Başakşehir. The Turkish side, pushing for an equaliser, came close in stoppage time when Piatek’s powerful shot forced a fine save from Hedl, who tipped the ball behind for a corner in the 98th minute. It proved to be the last action of the match, and Rapid celebrated a significant away victory.

The result will be especially pleasing for Rapid after their success against another Turkish opponent, Trabzonspor, in earlier rounds. Despite a half-full stadium, the travelling fans created a vibrant atmosphere, and their team rewarded them with a well-deserved victory.

With this win, Rapid have laid down a marker in their group, and Schaub’s resurgence is a welcome boost as they seek to advance further in European competition. For now, the focus returns to domestic matters, but Rapid can approach their next European challenge with confidence and momentum.