SK Rapid hopes today – weakened in the offense – for their first away win of the new Bundesliga season. Before the away match in Wolfsberg, we gathered the opinions and expectations of Rapid fans in the Austrian Soccer Board, Austria’s largest football forum.
Varimax: “The absence of Jansson does not make me more optimistic; we have not been able to compensate for him so far.”
TwoPointFifty: “I had hoped that we would at least be spared from injuries and breaks this season. Hopefully, Jansson will be fit again soon. For me, he is currently the key.”
Tobal12345: “Crazy absences, but if we still start with Beljo/Lang + can throw in Wurmbrand, that’s already a very strong squad depth this year.”
TheMichii: “Jansson hurts a lot, but the fact that he has had knee problems since Trabzonspor, according to Sky, is insane given what top matches he has played afterwards. I can even imagine that either Dursun or Bischof (at least one of them) will be on the bench again, and Wurmbrand is either targeted for the front or for Jansson’s position. What makes me optimistic is that the defense as well as the central midfield have returned without any problems, providing at least stability there. Only two positions are practically open. Or three, if Beljo could come off the bench.”
bashtart: “I hope Wurmbrand starts; I feel like he has what it takes for the first team. I liked him a lot in the second team. A ‘Jimmy Hoffer’ type has been missing for a while, in my view.”
Schwemmlandla3: “Weather-wise, it might not be the rain and therefore the pitch that’s the problem, but the wind. This will be a pure luck game that has nothing to do with football. Hopefully, we will be the lucky ones.”
ppg: “Phew, we already have quite a few absences in the attack. Since it is likely to be played, Beljo and Lang will probably take the field. They are not exactly the most aggressive against the ball. Behind them Seidl and Schaub.”
flonaldinho10: “On 9 out of 11 positions, the first choice is still on the field; we would have been very pleased about that in the last few seasons, so let’s not complain too much. Sure, the offense might stutter a bit, but it would also be time for Schaub and Lang to really arrive this season.”
Julian1899: “We once beat WAC with half the second team (Savic’s dream goal). One can be a little more optimistic.”
SVR-SCR: “9 regulars, and instead of Burgi and Jansson, now Schaub and Lang. So that’s still a top eleven. There really is no excuse if this goes wrong. There will always be one or the other absence, and this year it can definitely be compensated well.”
TheMichii: “WAC has had a solid start. But against Austria and Altach, it was clear that they are vulnerable. Even Lang and Schaub will deliver their good performances. Schaub was good against RB. Furthermore, we still have Seidl and the top midfielders Grgic and Sangare. So, we’ll manage.”
Da Oide Bimbo: “Of the young ones, Tobi Hedl is overdue. Reliable, physically strong, and a leader in the second team. Wurmbrand, on the other hand, is the more dynamic striker. At least one of the two will get their chance – and take it.”
sulza: “I would also put Wurmbrand next to Beljo. Speed is definitely valuable on the Wolfsberger pitch, especially since I don’t remember the WAC defense being particularly fast.”
DeePi: “So if Wurmbrand starts today, then Lang really has a big problem if even players from the second team are preferred to him in an emergency. I’m curious what is planned for him now – hopefully, they were already aware when they signed him that the 4-2-3-1 formation will not be played anymore in the future…”
Pedasdorfer: “Lang and Beljo belong in the attack today. Both should be highly motivated after the recent negative discussions about them. Beljo showed very good performances in Augsburg; however, the German Bundesliga sets different demands on the clubs and their players. If Beljo wants, he can deliver performances and goals. I am in a positive mood. Game plan: Control the game, lull them to sleep, and strike at some point. A narrow victory. But 3 points are 3 points. Or, yes, 1.5 points.”
More fan opinions about SK Rapid can be found in the Rapid forum of the Austrian Soccer Board.
