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Rapid will be weakened in Genk as well

Genk is in good form and, if they defeat Rapid, they have practically secured their pass of the group. The team from Vienna is not complete, but they will not easily which was felt best by Dynamo from Kiev in the last game

Genk has on Saturday, in a championship game on their pitch, celebrated against Lierse with 4-0. The game was resolved already in the first half which ended with Genk's 3-0 advantage. Scorers were left back Tshimanga, midfielder Kumordzi and center back Koulibaly. In the second half, Genk slowed down and, 15 minutes before the end, 17-year-old forward Schrijvers who came into the game only five minutes earlier, scored the forth goal and his first top division goal. 

This was the fifth consecutive win in an official game for Genk, and they have been undefeated in the last 12 games in all three competitions (Europa League, Belgian league and Cup). They won 10 out of those 12 games, and two were a draw. This is a noteworthy performance which should make their opponent from Austria more cautious. 

Genk is currently fourth in the Belgian Championship and they are five points behind the leader, Standard.

Genk won last seven official home games. They celebrated in the both so far played games of the Europa League, 1-0 in Kiev and 2-1 at home against Thun, and they are a convincing leader of the group G. If they win today, they will definitely spend the Winter in Europe.  

At a press conference the day before the accident, coach Been has, among other things, said:

- Rapid is a difficult opponent, they are mentally very strong and they never give up. They proved that in their home games against Dynamo Kiev and Sturm Graz, when they caught up after losing 2-0. Tomorrow's result is also important for them regarding the stay in the competition. Personally, we want to continue our unbeaten run and maintain the distance from the other teams in the group. It is very nice to be undefeated in 12 games, but we want even more. 

Center back Simaeys has recovered from injury and he will be on the roster for today's game, Mboyo has started training, but he still won't be in the lineup. 

Minimal defeat in Thun and a big return from 0-2 to 2-2 with a last minute goal against Dynamo Kiev, are Rapid's results in the Europa League group, and coach Barisic's team expects another difficult away game in Belgian Genk.

Rapid doesn't have a team for great achievements this year, and their constant problems with injuries are not leaving any maneuver room for coach Barisic. Practically the same players are playing and they are tiring themselves a lot, which is felt on the results, especially in the championship. Everyone wants to prove themselves in the international scene of the European League, so Genk is coming to Vienna to at least remain unbeaten and extend their hope in the qualification into the next round because they still have to play against Genk and Thun at home. 

- We have to try and get the most points we can in two games against Genk - said Rapid's captain Steffen Hofmann. Coach Barisic warns that they are conceding easily and then they spend a lot of energy on catching up. 

- We get into trouble because of our lack of concentration, then we fix that, but we lose a lot of strength and such naive mistakes should not be happening in Genk if we want to take points - said coach Barisic. He can't count on two midfielders Grozurek and Burgstaller, which narrows down his options in the midfield where the battle for the domination on the pitch is happening. 

- We have to narrow down the space, stand closer to our opponents and make less mistakes. Genk is in a good form and they want to play with depth, so we have to be aggressive in the duels and stop the home team from catching momentum and coming easily in front of our  penalty area. If we succeed in that, then we will get a chance in the offense - said away team's coach, Zoran Barisic who announce a more closed 4-2-3-1 formation. The American Boyd in the offensive and Shaub and Sabitzer on the wings are Rapid's key players in the attempt to make something good in the offense. 

Belgian Genk are in top form, both in their national championship and in Euroleague.Today they have a great chance to settle the issue of getting through the group after only three rounds, which will then enable them to turn their attention to the championship and further advance in ranking there. Rapid Vienna, a team with lots of ups and downs this season, are in their way. They are in constant trouble this season, conceding naive goals and getting injuries of their main players. Those details might be a big strength for Genk, who are unforgiving in their own stadium lately, and Rapid will hardly be an exception.
The home team will surely be in the offensive mood, trying to quickly score and break through the solid bunker of the Vienna team. Should they manage to succeed, they will have a much easier job in the rest of the game. Genk are technically a better team than Rapid, all their midfielders and forwards are individually strong on the offense, while with Burgstaller and the long injured Alar missing for Rapid the only creative force remaining is 34-year-old captain Hofmann. That would not suffice to parry Genk even in a home game, let alone away. This match smells like Genk dominating, with Rapid trying to defend and score from fast counterattacks. However, with all the weaknesses the Vienna team defense have displayed this year, the home team have a much better chance of achieving their goals and reaching a third consecutive victory that will verify their superiority in this group.