Remaining in the European Cup – open Feldhofer bill: Rapid against top club?

A show of strength in the penultimate game of an exhausting autumn season brought Rapid to stay in the European Cup. The Hütteldorfer 1-0 on Thursday in Genk meant third place in the Europa League group H and thus the change to the Conference League sixteenth finals, which will be played on February 17 and 24. “With Tottenham I would still have something open,” said coach Ferdinand Feldhofer with a smile.

Possible opponents are PAOK Saloniki with the ex-Rapidlers Stefan Schwab and Thomas Murg, the Danish club Randers with the Austrian Simon Piesinger or even Tottenham, should the English win their match against Rennes, which was postponed on Thursday. The now Rapid coach Feldhofer already met the “Spurs” a year ago with the WAC, back then in the Europa League round of 16 with a total score of 1: 8. Rapid will play the first leg in the Conference League sixteenth finals in their own stadium, the opponent will be determined on Monday during the draw (live in the sportkrone.at ticker) in Nyon. “Players have not had the easiest time” Immediately after the final whistle the Styrian didn’t really deal with potential opponents yet, the hard-fought victory against Genk still had too much of an effect. “The final whistle was a great relief,” admitted Feldhofer. “I’m happy for the club, the fans and the team. The players have worked hard for it, they haven’t had the easiest time behind them. ”The Rapidler have played 32 competitive games since mid-July, more than any other home club. The signs of wear and tear are becoming more and more noticeable, for example with Taxiarchis Fountas, who had to pass in Genk but was probably ready for action on Sunday against Admira. Kara was hit and Ercan Kara had to be replaced before the break, his participation in the Südstadt is questionable. “A few players have a few 1,000 minutes in their bodies, so we have a few failures,” said Feldhofer. The 42-year-old also named the high stresses of the past few months as one of the reasons for the relapse after switching sides. “Besides, Genk had nothing more to lose, tried everything, punched the balls from everywhere. But we did it with great dedication and struggle, ”said Feldhofer. Before the break, Rapid had a lot more to offer than just fighting spirit. “We were brave, dominant and had opportunities. We could have led higher than 1-0. That’s why the win is okay because of the first half, ”summarized Feldhofer. “We wanted to be brave, attack high and bring a high mileage to the field. We succeeded, we can be proud of that. ”Ljubicic scores in front of his brother Robert Ljubicic scored the decisive goal for the Hütteldorfer, and that in front of his brother Dejan of all places. The ex-Rapid captain, who is now employed by 1. FC Köln, was in the stadium in Genk. “I dedicate the goal to him too,” said Robert Ljubicic, speaking of the most important goal in his young career. “That gave us a lot of energy.” Ljubicic also described the Rapid success as deserved. “We were very active in the first 25 minutes and scored the goal at the right time. We were a bit lower in the second half, but we didn’t allow many chances, ”said the 22-year-old midfielder.
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