Rapid welcome GAK to the Allianz Stadion on Sunday at 7pm having taken maximum points from their opening two league matches. Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side began with a 1-0 victory over Altach before winning 2-1 away at SV Ried. GAK have collected three points so far: a heavy 3-0 defeat at LASK was followed by a 2-1 home win over newly promoted Austria Lustenau.
Rapid perfect so far, but facing a demanding schedule
The results have been almost flawless for Rapid so far. Alongside their two Bundesliga victories, the Viennese side have also won every cup and European fixture, meaning they have started the new season with seven wins from seven competitive matches.
Not every performance has been entirely convincing, however. Against Altach, an early Petter Nosa Dahl goal was enough for a rather laboured 1-0 victory, while Rapid also played at too slow a tempo for long stretches of their 2-0 win over Paide.
Thorup also has to manage his squad carefully. The GAK match will already be Rapid’s eighth competitive fixture in 25 days, with another six games to follow before the beginning of September. Against Paide, the Dane made nine changes from the side that started in Ried. A much stronger line-up is expected against GAK, although some rotation remains likely given the workload.
GAK still adapting after major squad overhaul
There have been significant personnel changes at GAK this summer. Cican Stankovic, Peter Michorl, Liam Hermesh and Anderson were among four new signings in the starting XI against Austria Lustenau, while Matthias Gragger, Anthony Smits and Souleyman Mandey were later introduced from the bench. Head coach Ferdinand Feldhofer admitted after the first victory of the season that integrating so many new players remains a work in progress.
The 2-1 win over Lustenau also highlighted where GAK could trouble Rapid. Both goals came from headers following set-pieces. In defensive leader Donovan Pines and Alexander Hofleitner, Feldhofer has considerable aerial strength at his disposal, while Michorl provides high-quality delivery from dead-ball situations for the “Rotjacken”.
A similar type of challenge to Altach
In terms of the likely pattern of the game, Rapid could be facing a task similar to their season opener against Altach. GAK have different individual strengths, but they are also a team that does not necessarily require long spells of possession to feel comfortable against technically stronger opponents.
The Graz side can defend compactly, bring plenty of physicality and have several players capable of controlling and using direct passes effectively. Set-pieces and second balls are also likely to play an important role. Rapid will therefore probably need patience once again, while making sure their circulation does not become too slow.
The Altach game already showed that Rapid can run into difficulties when their attacks lack pace and positional movement. That could again prove decisive against GAK. Quick switches of play, clean movement between the lines and greater efficiency in the final third are likely to be particularly important.
GAK caused Rapid problems last season
The meetings from last season provide another warning. Rapid failed to win either Bundesliga game against the Graz side.
In Graz, the Viennese team led for a long time through a Janis Antiste goal before Daniel Maderner converted a stoppage-time penalty to make it 1-1.
The home meeting in November was even more painful. Maderner put GAK ahead from the penalty spot, Ercan Kara equalised, but Ramiz Harakate scored the winner six minutes from time to secure a 2-1 victory for the visitors. That defeat also proved to be Peter Stöger’s final Bundesliga match as Rapid head coach.
Rapid have at least scored in each of their last 16 Bundesliga meetings with GAK.
Both teams dealing with absences
Thorup is still unable to select from a full squad. Daniel Nunoo, Martin Ndzie, Lorenz Szladits, Dominic Vincze and Claudy Mbuyi are all unavailable through injury.
GAK are also missing two players in Jacob Italiano and Tim Trummer. Trummer suffered a thigh injury during the cup campaign.
Rapid clearly go into the match in the stronger position given their start to the season and home advantage. A straightforward evening should not be expected, however. GAK already showed last season that they are comfortable in the role of awkward underdogs against Rapid and are likely to demand plenty of patience and physical effort from the hosts once again.
