SK RAPID WIEN (Allianz Stadion)

BUNDESLIGA, SK RAPID VIENNA 2-2 FK AUSTRIA VIENNA, ATTENDANCE: 26,000

The main event of the weekend was the a visit to the Allianz Stadion for the 233rd Vienna derby as SK Rapid Vienna clashed with fierce rivals Austria Vienna. 

Rapid Vienna are a famous name in European football, having won the Austrian Bundesliga 32 times in their history but for this particular supporter they will be synonymous with the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup Final, when a team containing the legendary Hans Krankl was defeated 3-1 by Everton in Rotterdam.

Despite originating the from same area the supporters of each club were traditionally divided by class with Rapid the team of the working class and Austria the more middle class. Rapid hold the upper hand in terms of wins with 132 to 117 and 72 draws (prior to today's game).

Rapid are based in the West of Vienna in Hütteldorf at the brand new Allianz Stadion, which was opened in 2016 (with a friendly against Chelsea) and is built on the site of the old Gerhard Hanappi Stadion. The ground is easy to reach from the city centre as it is the end of the line on U4. The new ground has a capacity of 28,000 and is a superb modern stadium.  I was sat in the stand next to the Rapid Ultras and the atmosphere was incredible. The supporters made some fantastic noise and the were some excellent pyrotechnics.

Where do I begin to describe this game? It had everything! The first half was stop-start as the tackles flew in, the referee producing a slew of yellow cards in an attempt to keep a lid on things. Eventually though a game of football did break out and it was Rapid who drew first blood when a Thomas Schrammel cross was headed home by an unmarked Louis Schaub after 39 minutes.

 

Rapid came out the traps fastest in the second period and it wasn't long before they did add a second goal. After a defensive mix up, Austria 'keeper Osman Hadzikic's interception/clearance fell at the feet of Schaub (55) and he rolled the ball into an empty net from outside the area.

 

Rapid were in complete control and really should have added a 3rd, 4th or 5th goal but they were soon to rue those wasted chances. It was a big ask to continue at that pace and as the homesters began to fade Austria found a way back into the game when Dominik Prokop (72) fired home.

The pendulum had now swung and it was Austria now asking the questions of the Rapid back line and in the 85th minute Prokop was tripped in the box by Schrammel, who as last man was shown a straight red card, and Austria captain Raphael Holhauser stepped to blast the penalty home.

Austria continued to press and when they got a corner after 87 minutes and a hail of missiles rained down from the stand, including lighters, plastic pint cups and what looked like a metal bar. The referee took the players off pitch for a "cooling down" period before returning about 5 minutes later to complete the game.

An incredible afternoon in many ways and utterly compelling. I doubt very much of I will have a better matchday experience this season.