The Rapid Wien Chronicle
Player ratings30 Jul 2029
Nothing got past Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao
Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 27 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.
Player ratings30 Jul 2029
Tobias Gulliksen runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 26. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Squad30 Jul 2029
Marcos Enrique keeps the receipts
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Rapid Wien may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Player ratings30 Jul 2029
Roméo Amané shuts the door
Defensive actions: 25, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.
Boardroom30 Jul 2029
Andreas Arnautovic signs on for the long haul
Rapid Wien moved before anybody else could: a new deal for Andreas Arnautovic, agreed quietly and announced loudly. Boards extend managers for many reasons; the good one is the one this looks like.
Squad30 Jul 2029
Tempers go at Rapid Wien
Petter Nosa Dahl was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Market30 Jul 2029
Martin Laimer comes home
The shirt still fits. Martin Laimer is back at Rapid Wien, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Market30 Jul 2029
Thomas Lindner comes home
The shirt still fits. Thomas Lindner is back at Rapid Wien, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Market30 Jul 2029
As if he never left: Heinz Dragovic returns
Some transfers need a press campaign. This one needed a shirt with the old number on it. Heinz Dragovic is a Rapid Wien player again, and the town has its story of the summer.
In brief
- Market Marcel Posch comes home
- Player ratings A masterclass from Petter Nosa Dahl
- Match Petter Nosa Dahl sends Rapid Wien past Grodig