Rapid Vienna’s Early Exit in the ÖFB Cup: A Disheartening Defeat

In a stunning upset, Rapid Vienna, who reached the ÖFB Cup final in both 2023 and 2024, were eliminated early in the 2024-25 tournament after a 2-1 defeat to SV Stripfing, a second-division team.

Coach Robert Klauß’s heavy rotation strategy for the round of 16 match failed, resulting in a disappointing loss. “That is very, very embarrassing and very difficult to put into words,” said Rapid’s lone goal-scorer, Maximilian Hofmann, summing up the mood within the team.

Rotation Strategy Backfires

In preparation for an upcoming league match against Sturm Graz, Klauß rested several regular starters, including Guido Burgstaller, Mamadou Sangare, and Nenad Cvetkovic, leaving goalkeeper Niklas Hedl as the only first-team member on the pitch. Reflecting on the defeat, Klauß remarked, “We lost the reward for our hard work because of two mistakes, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the rotation. The mistakes could have happened to other players too.” Klauß maintained confidence in his choice of lineup, asserting, “The team that was on the pitch did well and had the chance to win the game.”

Schöller’s Costly Error and Radonjic’s Decisive Finish

Rapid appeared poised for victory after Hofmann’s opening goal in the 39th minute and largely controlled the action at Hohe Warte. But the tides shifted when 18-year-old Jakob Schöller, on his debut, misjudged a cross pass, setting up Darijo Pecirep to equalise in the 79th minute. “He is a very big talent and needs match practice,” said Klauß. “He played well up to that point, then he made this one mistake, which is sad and bitter for him.”

Just six minutes later, Rapid’s defence faltered again, failing to clear a free kick. Dejan Radonjic seized the opportunity, scoring the match-winner for Stripfing. “The opponent had two shots on goal, and we set up both goals. That is annoying and extremely bitter,” Klauß reflected.

Missed Opportunities Seal Rapid’s Fate

Rapid had their chances to recover late in the match. Dion Beljo struck the crossbar in the 91st minute, while Schöller and Beljo missed follow-up shots that could have levelled the score. Hofmann expressed his frustration: “We only have ourselves to blame for this… it’s been a trend throughout the season that we’ve been very careless with our chances.”

Klauß lamented the missed opportunity for silverware: “The chance of a title was carelessly thrown away in the 22nd competitive game of the season. That hurts and will really hurt again when the quarter-finals are played, and we are not there.”

Stripfing’s Historic Triumph

For Stripfing, this win marks a historic milestone as they progress to the ÖFB Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Their interim coach, Alexander Grünwald, who also serves as the club’s sports director, celebrated the victory. “This is another bonus game that we are happy to take,” Grünwald said. Meanwhile, Radonjic, the golden goal scorer, described the moment as “an unbelievable feeling.”

On Saturday, Stripfing will face FAC in a league fixture, hoping to build on their momentum and continue their fairytale run in the ÖFB Cup.

Site Opinion

Rapid Vienna’s defeat speaks volumes about the risks and rewards of rotation, especially in knockout tournaments. While Robert Klauß is correct in stating that errors can happen to any player, the decision to rest multiple first-team players against a hungry second-division side has proved costly. Critics may argue that a more balanced approach could have preserved Rapid’s chances for the Cup while still managing player fatigue. Nevertheless, the experience may serve as a valuable lesson for the team moving forward.

From the pundit’s perspective, the match underscores the significance of mental resilience and individual accountability. Young players like Jakob Schöller may need time to develop under high-stakes conditions, yet those opportunities come with risks. Klauß’s commitment to player development is admirable, but as the club vies for trophies, the stakes will continue to challenge his approach.