After the break, Claudy Mbuyi sealed the victory with a brace. Rapid were rarely troubled defensively, although the emphatic scoreline somewhat flattered a performance that offered relatively little attacking spectacle for long periods.
Three changes with the Vienna derby in mind
Rapid head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup made three changes to his starting line-up following the 5-1 home victory over Austria Lustenau. With Sunday’s Vienna derby against Austria Vienna approaching, managing his players’ workload was an important consideration. However, the Dane stopped short of wholesale rotation, keen to preserve the understanding and cohesion that have helped his side excel in the league with their high-tempo passing, intelligent positional play and clinical finishing.
Vienna came into the match full of confidence themselves. Eight consecutive league victories had lifted the Döbling club to second place in Austria’s second division. Against Rapid, however, they abandoned their usual adventurous attacking approach in favour of a disciplined defensive structure. Head coach Patrick Enengl set his team up in a 3-4-3 formation, with the players remaining compact and closely connected when out of possession.
Vienna’s compact defence frustrates Rapid
The hosts succeeded in disrupting Rapid’s passing combinations, particularly in the opening stages. Vienna shifted collectively towards the ball and maintained tight distances between their lines. This restricted the passing lanes into central areas, where Yusuf Demir and his teammates usually generate so much of their attacking momentum.
Rapid initially struggled to stretch Vienna’s defensive shape. Quicker switches of play or better positioning on the far side could have forced the second-division outfit to cover greater distances. Instead, Vienna were frequently able to remain within their compact block and respond to the next change of direction.
Another complication was the hosts’ reluctance to press aggressively high up the pitch. Unlike more proactive opponents such as LASK, who repeatedly stepped forward in their recent meeting with Rapid and consequently left space behind their first line of pressure, Vienna generally defended deeper. Thorup’s side therefore could not simply exploit the gaps created by an opponent committing players forward.
Demir provides the breakthrough
With Rapid still searching for their usual attacking rhythm, Yusuf Demir once again made the difference. The in-form playmaker opened the scoring in the 18th minute with an excellent piece of individual skill, breaking the deadlock before his side had managed to create a steady stream of clear-cut opportunities.
The goal did not remove all uncertainty from the contest. Vienna stuck to their defensive plan while looking to exploit the limited space available whenever they ventured forward. The hosts threatened Rapid’s goal on two occasions, but Thorup’s team allowed little else. Against a second-division opponent riding an eight-match winning streak, that defensive reliability was a significant factor.
Rapid controlled possession and dictated the general pattern of play, but lacked some of the precision in the final third that has distinguished their recent performances. Their superiority therefore took time to translate into a more convincing lead.
Mbuyi puts the result beyond doubt
The second half brought several personnel changes on both sides, and the game gradually became more open. Rapid were finally able to make better use of their superior individual quality. Claudy Mbuyi, in particular, made his opportunity count. The centre-forward doubled the lead in the 69th minute before scoring again in the 86th to complete his brace and secure the 3-0 victory.
After largely being restricted to substitute appearances recently, the two goals strengthened Mbuyi’s case for more playing time in the coming weeks. There was, however, a possible concern immediately after his second goal: the Frenchman appeared to be limping and was substituted straight afterwards, raising fears that he may have picked up another physical problem.
A three-goal margin was perhaps slightly generous given the relatively modest number of high-quality chances. Nevertheless, Rapid’s place in the quarter-finals was thoroughly deserved. Apart from two brief moments of uncertainty, the visitors controlled the contest, remained patient against Vienna’s compact defence and demonstrated their greater quality when it mattered.
The contrast with the 5-1 victory over Lustenau also illustrated how differently matches can unfold for Rapid. On that occasion, the Green-Whites sliced through the opposition’s lines within minutes and established an early two-goal advantage. At the Hohe Warte, they needed more patience and relied more heavily on individual inspiration. That they still maintained control throughout was further evidence of the team’s current stability.
Attention now turns to Sunday, when the Bundesliga leaders face an Austria Vienna side in deep trouble in the city derby. Their assured cup progression provides another confidence boost, while the carefully managed rotation should leave at least some players fresher for one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season.
