End of the Europa League adventure: Rapid - Wisła 6:1

Wisła Kraków played an away match against Rapid Vienna in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The return match, played at the Allianz Stadium, ended in a 6-1 victory for the home side. This means that the White Star's campaign in this competition is coming to an end.

At 8:30 PM, referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle for the first time, ushering in what promised to be an incredibly exciting football match. Both teams energetically sought to take an early lead, and a true football celebration was in full swing in the stands.

Unfortunately, the Krakow team allowed themselves to be forced into a defensive slump, which the home side exploited without hesitation. Guido Burgstaller found the ball cleared on the edge of the penalty area and slotted the ball into the net in the sixth minute. The English referee pointed to the center of the pitch, and Wisła were forced to fight back from a two-goal deficit in the aggregate.

Coach Kazimierz Moskal, seeing this, encouraged his players to push higher and play with more courage. Irritated by the goal conceded, the White Star players began to hold on to possession in their opponent's half for longer. The midfield and wing cooperation, shifting the focus of the attack from one side to the other, looked promising. However, the open battle against the higher-ranked opponent soon backfired.

Wisła's team suffered four more painful goals before the end of the first half, with the scoreboard indicating a devastating 5-0. Burgstaller certainly came into this match in scoring form, scoring a hat-trick in less than half an hour. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Chichkan deserved special mention for the visitors, saving a penalty and saving the Kraków team from even more punishment on several occasions.

Changing sides

In the second half, after a series of personnel changes, the Kraków team's defensive line began to improve. This resulted in more attacking opportunities for the players in red. After the break, Rodado came closest to scoring, but Niklas Hedl saved the ball just short of the goal line. After an hour, the score remained unchanged.

Possession had become more even, and this was evident on the pitch. Just as Wisła were beginning to resemble their first-leg team, coach Moskal's team suffered another blow. Joseph Colley sustained an injury at a set piece, which proved serious enough to require paramedics. Shortly after, the Viennese extended their lead to 6-0 thanks to the introduction of Christoph Lang.

Angel Rodado scored the consolation goal for Wisła Kraków in the 80th minute. The Spaniard, after a spectacular one-on-one with Raux-Yao, slotted the ball past the left post to make it 6-1. This was the final touch in a two-legged tie against Austrian side Rapid Vienna.

Rapid Vienna - Wisla Krakow 6:1 (5:0)
1-0 Burgstaller 6'
2:0 Beljo 24'
3-0 Burgstaller 30'
4-0 Burgstaller 34'
5-0 Raux-Yao 45'
6:0 Lang 79'
6:1 Rodado 80'

Rapid Vienna: Hedl - Oswald, Hofmann, Raux-Yao, Auer - Sangare (46' Kaygin), Grgić - Seidl (61' Vincze), Burgstaller (46' Dursun), Jansson (61' Lang) - Beljo (46' Bischof)

Wisła Kraków: Chichkan – Jaroch (46' Kiakos), Uryga, Colley (76' Biedrzycki), Mikulec - Carbo, Sapała (46' Kutwa) - Baena (66' Starzyński), Rodado, Sukiennicki - Zwoliński (46' Gogół)

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Yellow card: Jansson
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