Image: GEPA pictures
Salzburg. There were no sporting highlights in the Bundesliga hit between Salzburg and Rapid. The video assistant referee caused renewed controversy and discussion with the penalty decision. Because the penalty taken by Karim Adeyemi – he was touched by SCR defender Kevin Wimmer in the penalty area and fell – gave the bulls the lead and destroyed Didi Kühbauer's “wall” tactics.
In the end, Salzburg won 2-0 and remained unbeaten leaders after eight rounds. At Rapid, on the other hand, the anger was huge: the defeats in a row, in ninth place 16 points behind the top of the table and with Admira (Cup, Thursday), Sturm Graz (Sunday) and West Ham (Europa League) tricky tasks await.
In addition the “irritant topic”, the VAR. Kühbauer suggested that the league and Austrian football would be better advised to save the costs. “We could donate the money for social projects,” the Burgenland rumbled. He quickly added that the 911 decision was “more than tough”. “Adeyemi almost made a double Rittberger. He doesn't need to because he's an incredibly good footballer. But he doesn't make a lot of friends with something like that. “
Worst start since 2006
Kühbauer's request to speak made Adeyemi smile. “I don't skate, but I like to ski,” said the German team player. “I can only say that there was contact in the penalty area.” Is the contact enough for a penalty?
But Kühbauer also has fewer and fewer friends around, because Rapids game is still not edifying. Deep defense with a five-man chain in combination with a quick switch game was a very good idea, only the implementation was just as oppressive as the eternal lamentation after disappointments about the mistakes of others. Rapid is ninth, lags behind his own standards and critically questioning his own performance would not be a miss.
There is resentment at Rapid, and if the next games do not go as planned, it could be uncomfortable for Kühbauer, although club boss Martin Bruckner has expressed his confidence in him. “I don't think it's any different now. But the pressure is there, it's important that we keep calm, ”said the 50-year-old. Kühbauer sees himself in a position to turn things around. “If I couldn't move anything, it wouldn't make sense anymore. But that's not the case, the team showed that today, ”said the coach and promised:“ We'll do everything we can to get back on track. ”
This fact leaves no room for interpretation about the quality of the SCR game: with eight points after eight rounds, Rapid had their worst start since the 2006/07 season. (fin)
