The Conference League was created precisely for this reason: to allow teams like Djurgarden and Rapid Vienna to experience the thrill of playing in a European quarter-final, a goal that is difficult to achieve in more competitive competitions such as the Champions League or Europa League. The Swedes, for example, hadn’t reached the top 8 of a continental competition since the 1955-56 season, in what was then still called the European Champion Clubs’ Cup.
This isn’t really surprising because both the Scandinavians and the Austrians had also done well in the maxi-group stage, finishing fifth and fourth respectively with 13 points (the same as Fiorentina, who finished third by virtue of having the better goal difference). Then Djurgarden did well to overturn Pafos in the round of 16, taking advantage of the home field factor: defeated 1-0 in Cyprus, the men led by Finnish coach Jani Honkavaara took their revenge – with interest – in the return leg in Stockholm, overwhelming the Cypriot team 3-0.
Rapid in trouble at home
Rapid Vienna, on the other hand, suffered more than expected against the Bosnians of Borac Banja Luka, only winning in extra time (both matches ended 1-1 after 90 minutes).
It’s not a particularly exciting time for the green-and-whites: the Championship Round – the final phase of the Austrian Bundesliga – didn’t get off to the best of starts, as Robert Klauss’ team suffered two bad defeats in a row against Salzburg (0-2) and Sturm Graz (2-0), without even scoring a goal. The Swedish league, on the other hand, has just started: after their opening defeat against Malmo, Djurgarden obtained their first win with a 1-0 away victory against Sirius. The Scandinavian club’s infirmary is crowded: Honkavaara will have to do without Johansson, Granströrm, Marques and Schüller. In Rapid, on the other hand, Burgstaller and Amane are absent, as well as the disqualified Sangaré.
Odds comparison
The “1X” team is quoted at 1.45 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Gol” team is quoted at 1.68 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.67 on Snai.
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The prediction
Too many absences and the difficult moment at home don’t allow us to hypothesize a big win for Rapid in Stockholm. Djurgarden, therefore, should at least manage to avoid defeat in a match that looks balanced in any case. It’s a bit of a long shot, with two teams facing each other who have scored frequently in this competition so far.
The probable line-ups for Djurgarden-Rapid Vienna
DJURGARDEN (4-2-3-1): Manojlovic; Stahl, Tenho, Larsson, Kosugi; Ekdal, Siltanen; Aslund, Gulliksen, Fallenius; Nguen.
RAPID VIENNA (4-2-2-2): Hedl; Bolla, Cvektovic, Raux-Yao, Oswald; Grgic, Borkeeiet; Schaub, Jansson; Wurmbrand, Beljo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1