“Fast is the team of the hour!”

Rapid have little time to think long and hard after their first defeat of the season. However, coach Robert Klaus described the fact that after the 2-1 defeat in Braga at the weekend, the next trip to Linz to see the Blue-Whites was a stroke of luck.

“That's the good thing when you play every three days,” the German said ahead of his flight back from Portugal on Friday morning. “You immediately have the chance to get a positive result and start the week feeling good.”

In Linz, the Viennese are again announced to rotate on Sunday (5pm) in front of a sold-out house. It should come as no surprise that Dion Belgo and Lukas Grgic are used.

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Opportunity to suppress defeat

The Croatian striker initially missed a big chance in Braga before being forced off for tactical reasons after receiving a red card for his midfielder teammate after less than ten minutes.

“I think it's good for them to be able to play again straight away,” Klaus said. “It's important to think of other ideas.”

Gergic also saw it positively: “The way the boys fought and performed shows their strength and that we are ready for the challenges ahead.”

Klaus gives up weekend without games

Rapid can certainly take first place in Donaulände after a successful start to the season, as there are no matches in Salzburg.

During the European Cup week, Hütteldorf also had the opportunity to watch the game later, as the league leaders were involved in the Champions League qualifiers. Klaus refrained from doing so, citing the usual rhythm.

“Renew and see who's new,” is the program when preparing for the blue and white. Klaus described the upcoming opponent as “a strong team that has already proven its strength at home in the previous season and at the start of the new season.”

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Record number of 12 clubs in the German league

Blue and white impressed by Vitek

The memory of the steel city is good: almost a year ago, the trip to the then promoted team ended with a 5-0 away win. Klaus celebrated his debut in Austria just three months later: in a 1-0 win over Blau-Weiss in Vienna.

The Upper Austrians have taken four points from their three games so far. After Nicolas Schmid moved to England, they have a new man in their squad. 20-year-old Radek Vittek has arrived on loan from Manchester United.

The nearly 2-metre-tall Czech has impressed in training this week. “He makes a very good impression, not only on the pitch, but also as a person,” said Gerald Scheppelhner.

Words of Praise for Vienna

The BW coach threw flowers at the opponent. Rapid is currently the “team of the hour” in the Bundesliga. The entire sports management of the Vienna team is working very successfully.

“You get the feeling that the team is working there, not only on the pitch but also around it.”

Scheppelner watched the match in Braga on television. He saw the opposite of the mental decline among the Viennese.

Hoping Rapidler is tired

“Even yesterday’s defeat might have seemed like a victory,” the former pro said on Friday, referring to the long minority. Schaepplener declared that Blau-Weiß does not want to freeze in fear.

“We know how strong Rapid are, but we are also strong. Our goal is to win the game.” Former Rapid player Martin Moermann was hoping for trouble at his former club: “I think fatigue plays a role. But we have to play at the highest level of our game in order to get rid of something.”