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Rapid played Thursday (21:00 / 4:00, DAZN) in the match outside the European Football League against Villarreal the opportunity to rehabilitate himself for the 0: 3 at Hartberg. During the guest performance in Spain, the Hütteldorfer are considered outsiders, but there is still a hope of surprise – after all, presented last green at the international level, much more consistent than in the league.
11:15 am, October 24, 2018
In the group G, Rapid occupies the second place after two rounds, one point ahead of the fifth place Spanish with two draws. To be able to fill this position, the Viennese women have to leave the small neighboring town of Valencia with at least one point, which, according to the coach Dietmar Kühbauer, is quite possible. "We have an opponent who is a little better footballer than us, but I see a great chance to be able to take something with us if we act with courage," said the 47-year-old.
However, this will not be possible with a performance like Hartberg, said Kühbauer. "But I do not want to talk too much about this game, now a stronger opponent is getting ready." The former Legionnaire of Real Sociedad is pleased to announce the duel with Villarreal. "I hope that I will say it after the match."
Against the "yellow submarine", Rapid can slip into the role played yesterday by Hartberg – the dangerous outsider. "We have a good job ahead of us, we are playing against a team that is above us, we can prove ourselves and gain confidence in ourselves." A sense of accomplishment can solve a lot of problems, "Kühbauer said.
According to the ex-player of the team, Villarreal is "better than one or two Hartberg corners", which is why a compact team structure is sought after. "We must also act if we have the opportunity, but if you think you have to be open-minded against them, you can quickly do the opposite."
A new stability on the defensive could bring a change of system – Kühbauer hinted that he was playing his fourth game for the first time in Rapid for the first time on three central defenders. "We will probably do something else, we have formed something that I would say good for us, it would make things easier."
If this were to give a positive result to the Estadio de la Ceramica, it would be important not only in the fight for promotion in the semifinals, but also for Sunday. Since he's in the home match against Admira for the connection to the top 6 of the Bundesliga. The duel with the Südstadt has for the moment an even greater importance for Rapid, but that does not mean that the performers are spared in Villarreal. "After the international break, we are creating three games in a week," said Kühbauer.
However, sports director Fredy Bickel said the championship of the next few weeks, unlike the qualifying phase of the summer, is focusing more and more. "If the opportunity arises, we want to show ourselves in the spring on the Europa League scene, but in the league we have a lot to catch up with because Thursday can be a very good preparation for Sunday, which is very important for us. " explained the Swiss.
To survive against Villarreal, you need exceptional performance, according to Bickel. "We have a very, very good opponent waiting for us, we have to make a perfect match and even then, there is no guarantee that we can take something with us."
But just as Rapid Villarreal weakens in the championship. Although successful Table 16. Saturday, in front of the eyes of the talented manager Steffen Hofmann at a home match against Atletico Madrid, the relegation zone is after nine rounds, but it lacks that # 39, a point. Coach Javier Calleja was already under pressure. In addition, leading players such as Colombian striker Carlos Bacca or captain Bruno Soriano are injured.
On the other hand, there is an impressive record on the international scene. Villarreal have always reached the last eight of the Europa League in the last five seasons and hold records for the most games (64), the most wins (33) and the most goals (109) the second level of the European Cup. Rapid, meanwhile, has won only one of his last ten European Cup matches. Three years ago, Hütteldorf's Group Stage matches against Villarreal ended in a 2-1 home win and a 0-1 away defeat.
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