Burgstaller and Co. were clearly stronger
Photo:
APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER
Rapid has won its fourth competitive match of this football season, creating a poor start to the Bundesliga for defending champions Sturm Graz. The Hütteldorfer secured a 1-0 victory on Sunday at the Allianz Stadium against the Steirmark team in front of 23,400 spectators, thanks to a goal from new striker Dion Beljo. In contrast, local rivals Austria Vienna stumbled again after their early exit from European competition, losing 0-1 to Blau-Weiß Linz.
With the 1-0 victory, Rapid achieved a successful revenge for the cup final lost on May 1 against the double winners, who had won all three previous encounters with Rapid. The first half saw a back-and-forth, but the home team was more efficient with Beljo’s goal (30). In the second half, Rapid controlled the match completely, allowing no noteworthy chances for the opponents.
Wiener Austria faced another setback with the 0-1 defeat in Linz following their early exit from European competition. The golden goal for Blau-Weiß was scored by substitute Simon Seidl (78). With this victory, Blau-Weiß celebrated their first success against Austria in their fifth attempt since last year’s promotion. Meanwhile, the Viennese continued their poor streak: they have started with a defeat in the Bundesliga season for the sixth consecutive time.
The first league leader is WAC, who emerged as clear winners in the Carinthian duel with Austria Klagenfurt at home, winning 4-1. On the same day, LASK (2-1 in Hartberg) and WSG Tirol (2-1 in Altach) also won their away matches. Runners-up Red Bull Salzburg had already won 3-2 against newcomers GAK on Friday. Both Salzburg and Rapid can be pleased with successful dress rehearsals ahead of their European cup fixtures next week.