As announced, Quick coach Robert Klauß relied on a rotating eleven in the 22nd competitive game of the season. Goalkeeper Niklas Hedl was the only undisputed regular against the Austrian club. The defense and attack were completely reorganized. This also had an impact on the game; When things did get dangerous, it was usually after normal circumstances, such as Hofmann’s header (11th) and Kaygin’s free kick (22nd).
In return, the second division team, which was lurking on the counter attack, should not have had the upper hand out of nowhere. Marco Hausjell failed to get the ball into the goal from four meters (23′). Maximilan Hofmann went ahead for Rapid after Böckle’s corner in the 39th minute. After the break, the Hütteldorfers controlled the action first. A higher lead could have been achieved, but Lang missed (53′), and Noah Bischof found his master by removing goalkeeper Kilian Kretschmer (68′) and Louis Schaub (75′).
Best of: Stripfing – Fast
Rapid made it through to the round of 16 of the Uniqa ÖFB Cup. Last season’s runner-up had to win for the Stripfing second division club on Wednesday at Hohe Warte.
Things turn sour for Rapid in the end
In front of 2,545 spectators, there was no sign of salvation, but it came anyway. Darijo Pecirep was served by Jakob Schöller with a cross pass in his own penalty area, he did not miss this opportunity like a “graak” (79′). And things got even worse for Rapid: Dejan Radonjic scored the winning goal for the underdogs after a free-kick cross that the whites couldn’t escape.
ÖFB-Corn
Schedule and results
The representatives Matthias Seidl and Dion Beljo were also unable to prevent embarrassment; This meant that the road to reaching the finals again was over; Rapid lost again after eleven competitive games.
“First of all we can’t take advantage of our chances, then we concede two goals because of our own mistakes and in the end we didn’t take advantage of our best chances. The elimination is a cause for great concern,” Mear captain Matthias Seidl said in an interview with ORF. Meanwhile, Stripfing’s winning scorer Radonjic was overjoyed: “It was an incredible feeling for me. I wouldn’t have believed that before. We fought until the last minute, so you get a chance.”
Austria narrowly won the Cup
Austria, on the other hand, continued their successful streak after three recent league wins. The Violets made slightly fewer personnel changes in Horn than their local rivals; striker Marko Raguz was in the starting line-up for the first time since February 2022 and for Austria for the first time in a competitive game. Horn did not allow much, the winning goal was a coincidence: his teammate Lucas Galvao (35th) deflected a shot from Reinhold Ranftl in the second attempt into the goal.
Best: Cup – Austria Wien
Austria Vienna defeated SV Horn 1-0 (1-0) and is now in the quarter-finals of the Uniqa ÖFB Cup.
Andreas Gruber missed the chance to decide earlier after a header from substitute Manfred Fischer (52′). “It’s not that easy, but we were moving the whole game. If the second goal is scored, it is easier. But the team showed a concentrated performance and they deserved it,” said Austrian coach Stephan Helm.
LASK hosts the game in Voitsberg
In Voitsberg the stranger was in the lead. Martin Krienzer made Hrvoje Smolcic look bad and beat LASK goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl (33′). Linz responded shortly before the break with a nice combination finished by captain Robert Zulj from the backcourt after a pass from Valon Berisha (42′). Shortly after the restart, Maksym Talowjerow hit the bar with his head after Zulj’s corner, half-time substitute Philipp Ziereis (47 ‘) used the rebound.
The winning goal from Ziereis
LASK have more problems than expected against Voitsberg. Shortly after the break, Philipp Ziereis scored the decisive goal in the end for a 2-1 victory.
Voitsberg did not give up, Krienzer in particular put the second division newcomer in danger on several occasions. In one scene, the crossbar, the post and finally Siebenhandl saved LASK (56th). Even at the end the rafters shook again. Like Austria, Linz reached the quarterfinals as last year. “We had trouble finding the right solutions,” admitted LASK coach Markus Schopp. “We are not yet ready to play our opponents.”
Bregenz surprise against GAK
Things got even more bitter for GAK in the second game under new coach Rene Poms: the promoted team, still winless in the Bundesliga after eleven rounds, said goodbye to the third-placed team in Bregenz. Renan gave the home team an early lead in the penalty area (7′). GAK managed to equalize through David Maderner, who kept his nerve in front of the other goal (75th). Bregenz struck again with a long-range shot from Mario Vucenovic (80th). Graz’s final attack was unrewarding.
ÖFB Uniqa Cup, round of 16
Wednesday:
Strip – Quick 2:1 (0:1)
Tore: Pecirep (79), Radonjic (85) bzw. Hofmann (39.)
Bregenz – GAK 2:1 (1:0)
Tore: Renan (7.), Vucenovic (80.) bzw. Dog (75.)
Cup – Austria 0:1 (0:1)
Tor: Ranftl (35.)
Voitsberg – SWITCH 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Krienzer (33rd) and Zulj (42nd), Ziereis (47th)
Sturm Graz – BW Linz 2:1 (2:0)
Tore: Zvonarek (24.), Yardimci (33.) bzw. Mitrovic (58.)
Salzburg – WSG Tirol 3:0 (1:0)
Tore: Konate (35th/multimeter), Terzic (53rd), Daghim (84th)
WAC – Austria Klagenfurt 2:2 nV (0:1, 1:1), 9:8 iE
Tore: Sabitzer (70.), Ballo (95.) bzw. Toshevski (15./Elfmeter), Robatsch (111.)
Tuesday:
Lustenau – Hartberg 0:3 (0:0)
Bregenz
Tore: Avdijaj (48., 86.), Prokop (55.)
Title: An Insightful Encounter: Time.news Editor Interviews Football Expert on the Uniqa ÖFB Cup Events
Editor (E): Welcome to this engaging discussion, where we’re diving into the recent events of the Uniqa ÖFB Cup. Joining us today is football analyst and expert, Dr. Emma Schneider. Emma, thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
Expert (E): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the recent matches and their implications.
E: Let’s start with the performance of Rapid Wien in their match against the second-division team Stripfing. They came into this match with high expectations but left facing disappointment. What do you think went wrong for Rapid?
E: It’s a complicated situation. Rapid seemed to struggle with their usual rhythm, primarily due to Robert Klauß’s decision to rotate the squad significantly. Such a strategy can disrupt team cohesion, especially in crucial matches like this Cup game. As a result, they lacked the continuity and synergy we often see in their play.
E: That makes sense. They led the game with Maximilan Hofmann’s goal but couldn’t build on that momentum. What were some crucial moments that, in your opinion, defined their loss?
E: One standout moment was when Marco Hausjell missed a clear chance from just four meters out. Those kinds of misses in high-stakes matches can shift the entire dynamic. Plus, the two defensive blunders leading to goals by Pecirep and Radonjic really showcased the vulnerabilities in Rapid’s backline. It’s concerning for any team when their mistakes directly lead to conceding goals.
E: Speaking of upsets, Stripfing’s win must have been a huge moment for them. What does this victory mean not only for the team but the wider league?
E: Absolutely! Stripfing’s victory is monumental—not just as a personal triumph but also as a statement for the second division teams that they can compete at this level. It raises the competitive stakes in the league and keeps the spirit of cup football alive, where anything can happen. It’s also a massive confidence boost for the players and the coaching staff.
E: Indeed, it’s a reminder that form and rank don’t always predict outcomes. Shifting the focus to Austria Wien, they managed to secure a 1-0 win against SV Horn. They didn’t make as many changes as Rapid. Do you think this was a strategic advantage?
E: Yes, I believe so. Austria Wien’s choice to maintain a more stable lineup likely contributed to their successful performance. They were able to build on their recent momentum from league victories, and consistency often aids in keeping a team focused and prepared for these critical matches. Their coach, Stephan Helm, highlighted the importance of concentration, and that’s something that can often get lost when too many changes are made.
E: It seems stability played a key role in their win. The results from LASK’s match were also intriguing. They faced a bit of a scare but ultimately clinched a 2-1 victory. What can you tell us about their performance?
E: LASK showed resilience, which is crucial in knockout competitions. Their ability to respond quickly to being down and then securing victory with a neat combination play demonstrates their offensive creativity. However, they should address the vulnerabilities they showed, especially since Voitsberg kept putting pressure on them. Teams heading into the latter stages of the cup need to shore up their defense.
E: Absolutely, it’s all about learning from each game. Moving forward, what major takeaways do you think teams should focus on as they head into the next rounds of the cup?
E: Teams need to find a balance between maintaining squad rotation and ensuring on-field chemistry. They also must capitalize on their chances and minimize defensive lapses. The emotional and mental aspect of the game can’t be overstated; teams must stay resilient and adapt quickly.
E: Wise words, Emma. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us! Any final thoughts for our audience?
E: Just that the beauty of cup competitions lies in their unpredictability. Every match tells a story, and fans should buckle up for the remaining fixtures—there will surely be more surprises.
E: Thank you, Emma! We appreciate your thoughts. This has been an enlightening discussion about the exciting and unpredictable world of the Uniqa ÖFB Cup. Until next time!