'Simply enjoy': Rapid continues its winning streak with Torgala against GAK

SK Rapid Wien delivered one of the most staggering performances in Austrian football history with an 8-0 victory over Grazer Akademie (GAK) at the Allianz Stadion on Sunday. The result marked the highest home win for Rapid since the arena’s opening in 2016 and secured their position at the top of the Bundesliga table. The match saw Rapid dominate from start to finish, scoring eight goals in a display of attacking prowess that left GAK manager Ferdinand Feldhofer visibly shaken after the game. The overwhelming nature of the defeat was evident early on, with Rapid taking control of the match almost immediately. By halftime, they had already built up a commanding 5-0 lead, and the momentum continued into the second half, culminating in an emphatic 8-0 final scoreline. For coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, this was his most successful game as a manager, and he praised the team’s cohesion and quality throughout the match. “I believe this was the first time in my coaching career that I actually had moments where I could lean back and just enjoy watching my football team,” Hoff Thorup said after the game. Stürmer Tonni Adamsen was the standout performer, netting four goals in the match. His performance marked a memorable debut season in Austria, having joined the club from Denmark before the current campaign. Adamsen credited the team effort behind his success, acknowledging the collective work that had been done to build the squad from the back. “It’s wonderful, but we must also recognize that much of it was due to teamwork. This is the result of the work the team has put in from the back,” Adamsen stated. Hoff Thorup highlighted the synergy between Adamsen and fellow forward Ercan Kara, who scored twice against GAK. “We see great performances when they play together. Tonni has a good sense of positioning within the penalty area,” the coach noted. Additionally, Hoff Thorup commended Yusuf Demir for his improved performance, particularly his efforts off the ball. “He plays on a different level than I have previously seen from him. Especially without the ball, he works incredibly hard.” Despite the convincing victory, Hoff Thorup emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and intensity throughout the entire match. “Only by fully utilizing every minute can we improve as a team,” he said. Looking ahead, Rapid will face Hearts in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round on Thursday. However, defender Jakob Schöller might miss the match due to an injury sustained during the game against GAK. For GAK, the loss was devastating. Manager Ferdinand Feldhofer described the performance as “terrible” and admitted that the team struggled from the outset. “We were under the wheels from the beginning,” Feldhofer said. He expressed regret to all supporters of GAK, calling the moment “very, very bitter, personally, the worst experience as both a player and a coach.” Feldhofer acknowledged the need for reflection and improvement following such a crushing defeat. “We failed in both halves. That must be recognized and addressed,” he added. The upcoming training week promises to be challenging for GAK, as Feldhofer indicated there would be no attempt to move past the loss quickly. “This was too impactful to simply go back to everyday life,” he explained. The match served as a stark reminder of the gap between the teams, with Rapid continuing its impressive run in the league. Rapid’s dominance in the match was underscored by the sheer number of goals scored, which placed them among the rarest victories in Bundesliga history. Only five other matches have resulted in higher scores, according to historical records. With eight wins in eight games, Rapid has established itself as a formidable force in the league, currently leading the standings thanks to a superior goal difference compared to LASK, last season’s champions. The team’s ability to maintain consistency and resilience through both high and low points has been crucial to their success thus far.