Werder Bremen won their first Bundesliga title in over a decade thanks to a 23-game unbeaten streak in the middle of the campaign which saw them lift the trophy with two games to go by beating Bayern Munich 3-1.
The campaign also ended Ottmar Hitzfeld’s 10-year stay at the Olympiastadion, having failed to guide Bayern to any trophies in 2003-04.
It also cemented Thomas Schaaf’s standing as a club legend at Bremen, having spent his entire playing career at the club before working his way up from Under-17 manager to head coach in 1999, and then the Bundesliga title five years later. The defender had twice won the title as a player.
CHANGES
Bayern Munich broke their transfer record to sign Dutch striker Roy Makaay for €18.75 million from Deportivo, where he had averaged over a goal every second game. His ratio was similar in Germany, earning him the nickname “Tor Maschine” (goal machine) from the Bayern fans.
Hitzfeld’s other main addition was Argentine defender Martin Demichelis, who was also adept at playing as a defensive midfielder. However, his debut season in the Bundesliga was hampered by injuries, which meant he played in just 14 league games.
Former Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes took charge at Schalke, following time managing in Spain and Portugal. Heynckes brought in Turkish midfielder Hamit Altintop to play in defensive midfield, but he proved an excellent all-rounder, ending up with six goals.
Jens Lehmann departed Borussia Dortmund for Arsenal, with Roman Weidenfeller taking over goalkeeping duties after being signed the previous season. Flavio Conceicao was the biggest addition, joining on loan from Real Madrid, but failed to become a key player.
Stuttgart loaned Bayern Munich’s young full-back Philipp Lahm, with Felix Magath initially signing him as cover for right-back Heiko Gerber only to make him their first-choice left-back. They also brought in Swiss defender Hakan Yakin as well as his compatriot Marco Streller, another summer…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/season-reviews/werder-bremens-23-game-run-secures-bundesliga-title-the-bundesliga-2003-04/129
Author : editors@footballcritic.com (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-07-24 13:00:00
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