Rangers vs Rapid Vienna promises to be a competitive encounter, but it appears the Austrian side are in big disarray.
Shocking scenes occurred after Rapid fell to a 1-0 home defeat to derby rivals Austria Vienna. The match took place at their new Allianz Stadium, and after a poor start to the season, elements of their supporters lost it.
Hundreds of incensed fans stormed onto the pitch after the match and caused serious damage to police. The incident was only calmed after riot police invaded the pitch and took on the legions of supporters.
Poor start
The result only reaffirmed Rapid’s dreadful start to their own domestic campaign. Vienna have only won two of their opening eight league matches, and sit in a dreadful seventh place after seven matches. To put that into perspective, only 12 teams compete in the division and they finished third last term.
Rangers don’t travel to Vienna until the final game of the group stages, but trouble is already brewing for Rapid. Their manager, Goran Djuricin, is under massive pressure, but is a well-liked figure after spending six years playing with the club.
Former Vienna manager and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus stated the scenes were a disgrace on national TV, according to the Sun.
“Things like that don’t belong in football. I understand the bitterness of the Rapid fans because they have lost a derby and started the season very poorly.
“But they should not have acted like that. They have no business trying to get on the pitch.”
The scenes were shocking, and Rangers fans will be hoping their supporters calm down before their visit on December 13th. They will meet before this of course, as Rapid travel to Ibrox on October 4th.
Rangers have already received a Europa League boost with the injury concerns plaguing Villarreal. Vienna’s demise, however, will also provide Steven Gerrard and his troops with a positive vibe heading into those meetings.
Of course, nobody will be pleased at seeing the terrible scenes in Austria. It’s a sign of the club’s weakness however, and Rangers along with Spartak Moscow and Villarreal, will be looking to exploit that.
In the meantime, attention will focus to the crunch opening tie at El Madrigal.
