Rapid Wien
0 
1
KRC Genk
At around 23 degrees and with a light breeze, there was more air circulating at the start of the match than during the final training session yesterday. With 18,400 spectators, the stadium was filled to capacity. Over 400 from Genk were there too, and they made themselves heard.
The same 11 from previous games started the match and retained possession and control. The first attempt at goal was for Genk: Arteaga around the outside, Onuachu spinning with his left. Our threat came down the left more often than from the right, where Ito's first few crosses lacked any precision. The final or penultimate pass often went astray. Our possession climbed to 60%, Rapid did very little, and we won almost every second ball. But we were not tidy enough to create any chances. A ball into the box, looped over by Onuachu, resulted in a shot, but that sailed over. Bongonda also had a shooting chance, but he aimed too high as well. 0-0 at half-time.
With Mike Trésor on replacing Bongonda, we started the second half by pressing forward with regularity. Lucumí saw an attempt blocked from a Trésor corner, Mike himself saw a deflected attempt cleared from goal and also curled a ball over. And all that within the first 4-5 minutes. Ito started a nice solo run, but was just nudged off the ball. Around the hour mark, Rapid had a few moments of transition, with the most dangerous being a shot across the goal by striker Ercan Kara. At the other end, an attempt from Ito went just over. In the middle of the second half, the alarm bells were ringing in the Rapid penalty area. Onuachu headed well, goalkeeper Gartler saved. A minute later, a beautiful attack, Ito in front of goal, and Onuachu sliding in: 0-1 ... were it not for the fact that the VAR had to be consulted, and unfortunately it was just offside. Another breakaway with Ito gave Paul a headed opportunity, but he could not get enough contact on the cross.
We headed into the closing stages, still 0-0: exciting. Ito ran after a high ball from Muñoz at lightning speed, outsmarted his opponent, but was pulled down. The ref kept it at yellow. Rapid Vienna tried to get through the final minutes by committing more of those nasty fouls. Time-wasting. But our boys did not let it get to them, and continued to play with focus. In added time, magic Ito again: darting past his man, accurate cross to – you know who – Paul Onuachu and our striker finished coolly. His 50th goal in 78 games, get in! WHAT. A. LEGEND.
0-1 after a hard-fought but deserved victory. The three points are heading back to Genk with us. Auf Wiedersehen!
Line-up
Vandevoordt, Muñoz, Cuesta, Lucumí, Arteaga, Eiting (90+4' McKenzie), Heynen, Thorstvedt, Ito, Onuachu, Bongonda (46’ Trésor)
Goals
90+3' Onuachu 0-1 (assist: Ito)
