Hyypia wary of wounded Rapid

Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia has cautioned against complacency ahead of his team’s match against Rapid Vienna on Thursday.

Leverkusen thumped Rapid 4-0 away from home on matchday three of the Europa League, a result which sees them sitting joint top of Group K, level on seven points with Metalist Kharkiv.

The Bundesliga side will be heavy favourites to take all three points again in the return fixture at the BayArena, but Hyypia has insisted Leverkusen must take nothing for granted.

“I think tomorrow is a dangerous game, because of the first game in Vienna,” he said.

“We played and won 4-0. A result that could let you think tomorrow is going to be easy.

“But it’s a new game and we have to focus and act like we did in Vienna. Then we can make it easier for us. If we give five or 10 percent less, it could become difficult.”

Rapid are bottom of Group K without a point from three matches played, and must realistically win all of their remaining matches to reach the knockout stages.

If Leverkusen win on Thursday, and Rosenborg lose to Metalist, the top two will be through to the round of 32.

“I’m sure that Rapid will give everything tomorrow,” Hyypia said.

“It’s their last chance to make it in the Europa League.

“We as the training staff have to focus 100 percent and have to motivate the team, so that they’ll win tomorrow. For me, a 1-0 is also three points. If we won 1-0, I’d be satisfied.”