Wien, Austria – Rapid Vienna go into the second leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals on April 17, 2025, at Allianz Stadion with a narrow 1-0 lead over Djurgardens IF. The match kicks off at 8 PM UK time, and the hosts are looking to capitalize on their home advantage to progress to the semi-finals.
The first leg saw Rapid Vienna claim victory in Sweden, thanks to an own goal that gifted them the crucial lead. Rapid has had a strong season at home, only losing three league games and remaining undefeated in European competitions at Allianz Stadion. This confidence comes after they snapped a rough patch with a solid 2-0 win against Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga.
“Our home form has been strong all season. We aim to continue this against Djurgardens and secure our place in the next round,” said Rapid coach, who reflects the team’s fighting spirit. The Green and Whites currently sit just three points away from a coveted European qualification spot in their domestic league.
Meanwhile, Djurgardens IF struggles continue. After a promising start to the new Swedish Allsvenskan season, they’ve only managed one win in their last four matches. With two consecutive defeats, including a frustrating first-leg loss to Rapid, they find themselves under immense pressure to deliver a comeback on Thursday.
Djurgardens have struggled offensively, particularly following the departure of their top scorer, now with Gamba Osaka. According to reports, they have managed just one goal in their last four outings, raising concerns ahead of their crucial confrontation in Vienna.
“We have to play our game, be aggressive, and take chances. The first match showed we can create chances, now we need to finish them,” commented Djurgardens’ captain.
In terms of player availability, Rapid Vienna will miss a few key players due to injuries; this includes crucial striker, who has been instrumental in both their league and Conference League campaigns. Djurgardens is also facing injury woes, with several players unable to participate.
Predicted lineups suggest Rapid will set up in a 4-2-2-2 formation with players like Hedl, Bolla, and Kara expected to lead the charge. In contrast, Djurgardens are likely to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, looking to leverage their attacking strength despite recent setbacks.
The stakes are high for both sides, with Rapid Vienna needing to protect their slender lead while Djurgardens seeks an urgent victory to keep their European dream alive. It promises to be an engaging clash as both teams battle for a spot in the semifinals.
