After winning the first leg 4-1, Rapid’s place in the next round was effectively only a formality. Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup therefore used the comfortable situation to rotate heavily, making nine changes from the 2-1 league victory over SV Ried. Only Niklas Hedl and Jakob Schöller retained their places in the starting XI. In front of 13,705 spectators, Rapid controlled proceedings from the outset, but the commanding first-leg advantage clearly took some of the edge out of their performance. Their play was too slow for long periods, at times even lethargic, and lacked real urgency.
Tilio puts Rapid ahead before the break
Tobias Gulliksen tried an ambitious lob after seven minutes, while Marco Tilio tested Paide goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju twice from distance. The Estonians defended compactly, however, at times dropping into a very deep back six. Rapid circulated the ball but far too rarely managed to increase the tempo and pull the underdogs’ defence apart with quick switches of play or combinations.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 38th minute. Eaden Roka released Nikolaus Wurmbrand, who used his pace to get away down the left before sending a low ball across goal. Tilio converted at the far post. The goal was initially ruled out for an alleged offside against Wurmbrand, but a VAR review overturned the decision.
Little changed immediately after the break. Moulaye Haidara got on the end of a good move in the 55th minute but directed his effort too centrally. Thorup reacted shortly afterwards by introducing Nicolas Bajlicz, Tonni Adamsen and Petter Nosa Dahl. Rapid briefly raised the intensity, with Louis Schaub forcing Jarju into a save in the 66th minute.
Hedl prevents an equaliser
Despite Rapid’s superiority, the game was not entirely without danger. In the 72nd minute, veteran forward Henri Anier ran through on goal following a defensive error. Hedl reacted well and made a strong save with his foot. It proved to be by far Paide’s most dangerous moment of the match.
The contest was finally settled ten minutes later. Wurmbrand was brought down by Michael Lilander on the edge of the penalty area. Referee Denys Shurman initially awarded a free kick, but VAR determined that the foul had taken place on the line. Schaub stepped up and converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
Dominant numbers, but not enough tempo
Statistically, Rapid’s victory was emphatic. The Vienna side had 65 per cent possession and registered 23 shots, while Paide managed just two. Rapid also dominated touches inside the opposition penalty area by 35 to seven. The expected-goals numbers were similarly one-sided at 3.06 to 0.13.
Those figures should not obscure the fact that Rapid’s attacking performance was unconvincing for long stretches. The penalty accounts for a significant part of the high xG total, while many of their other efforts came from less threatening positions. Against an opponent that defended deep and offered almost nothing going forward, Rapid lacked pace, decisiveness and the courage required to play with real purpose in the final third.
Thorup saw it in similar terms. “I’m pleased that we went through without any major problems. Overall, it was a professional job,” said the Rapid coach, while also making clear that he had been unhappy with the lack of tempo and quality in the final third.
Schaub was even more critical: “We weren’t quite sharp enough. If you’re not at 100 per cent, it’s simply not enough.” With tougher assignments ahead, that assessment appears particularly relevant.
Heart of Midlothian likely to await in the playoff
Rapid have nevertheless won all seven competitive matches this season and boast a goal difference of 20-5. In the Conference League playoff, they will face the loser of the Europa League tie between Benfica and Heart of Midlothian. With Benfica having already won the first leg 6-1, everything points towards a meeting with the Scottish side. The first leg will take place away from home on August 20, with the return fixture in Vienna one week later.
Before then, Rapid return to Bundesliga action. On Sunday, they host Grazer AK at 7pm. Thorup is expected to move much closer to his strongest XI against the Styrian side — and will likely demand a performance with considerably greater intensity.
