History: 25 years ago – The 2001/02 treble runners-up season (September)

Meanwhile, in Leverkusen, the Werkself are preparing for their next away match. They are heading to Mönchengladbach to face a sold-out crowd at the Bökelberg. Bayer 04 took the lead as early as the third minute thanks to a penalty converted by Hans Jörg Butt. But this setback did not faze Borussia. They won more challenges and, with passion, commitment and the desire to run, took the initiative on the pitch. After taking the lead, the Werkself sat back, failed to attack consistently and were constantly pinned back in and around their own penalty area. Goalkeeper Butt emerged as the man of the match. Not only did he score the only goal of the game, but he also made several saves to prevent what would certainly have been a deserved equaliser. In the end, it was a very flattering 1–0 victory for Bayer 04. Manager Klaus Toppmöller and his team can now prepare for their first Champions League home match against Fenerbahçe.

terrorist attacks cause disruption

But it is not to be. The home match scheduled for 12 September is called off. The terrorist attacks in the USA happened the day before, which is why UEFA postponed the entire matchday to 10 October. Consequently, the next home match is not until Saturday, against FC St. Pauli.

Transfer rumours are causing a bit of a stir during the week. According to Kicker, Jens Nowotny is being linked with Bayern Munich, as is Michael Ballack, whose move is already regarded as a certainty. Furthermore, manager Klaus Toppmöller has suspended Boris Zivkovic from the squad for two matches. The Croatian had initially drawn his manager’s displeasure when, after being left out of the starting line-up for the match at Schalke, he “went off to warm up in a huff” (manager Klaus Toppmöller). During Saturday’s match at the Bökelberg, it took over two minutes for Boris to come on as a substitute because he first had to remove his jewellery – during which time Bayer 04 were down to ten men. On the Sunday following the Gladbach match, the coach was dissatisfied with his protégé’s performance in training, prompting him to take this action and leave Boris Zivkovic out of the squad for the next two matches.

On 15 September, the Werkself fielded the same starting line-up in their home match against FC St. Pauli as they had in Mönchengladbach. Following a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Toppmöller’s side started the match on a very attacking footing. The newly promoted side from Hamburg set up two defensive lines just outside the penalty area, while Ze Roberto and Zoltan Sebescen, playing as wide forwards well advanced up the pitch, drove the play down the flanks. However, it wasn’t until the 45th minute that Michael Ballack scored to make it 1–0. The teams went in at half-time with the score at 1–0.

successful Start to the Champions League

On the hour mark, Ulf Kirsten made it 2–0, but a minute later Michael Ballack was shown a second yellow card. Bayer 04 had to play the final thirty minutes with ten men. St. Pauli did indeed ease off their defensive block following the sending-off and scored a consolation goal on 79 minutes. However, it didn’t turn into a nail-biter, as the impressive Bernd Schneider immediately restored the two-goal lead at 3–1. With fourteen points, the Werkself were in second place at that stage, four points behind league leaders FC Kaiserslautern.

A week later than planned, Bayer 04 finally kicked off their Champions League campaign. Away to French runners-up Lyon, the Werkself gradually took control of the game during a strong opening spell at the sold-out Stade Gerland, in front of 37,000 spectators, but repeatedly found themselves conceding chances to the strong French side through Edmilson and Foe, as well as the strikers Nee and, above all, Govou. For Bayer 04, the first half yielded just one – albeit a big – chance for Oliver Neuville. However, his shot was too wayward and was saved by Lyon’s goalkeeper Coupet. The Werkself continued to defend doggedly in the second 45 minutes and struck clinically on 75 minutes: Ulf Kirsten scored his 38th European goal to give them a 1–0 lead. Above all, the defence, led by Lucio and a strong goalkeeper in Hans Jörg Butt, held on to this lead until the final whistle and secured their first three points in Champions League Group F.

Berbatov's first Bundesliga goal secures draw against BVB

Four days later, the top-of-the-table clash against Borussia Dortmund kicks off. Out of superstition, manager Klaus Toppmöller continues to wear his dark tie featuring a piano keyboard and his beige suit. At least in the Bundesliga, he always wears the same outfit. And at the end of this match, too, the Werkself remain unbeaten. Albeit with a bit of luck, as Dortmund’s attack tore a few holes in the Bayer 04 defence, particularly in the first twenty minutes. The hosts took the lead as early as the seventh minute, and goalkeeper Hans Jörg Butt prevented a second goal on several occasions. But from the 20th minute onwards, the Werkself were more compact in defence and midfield. Borussia held onto their lead until half-time.

The second half, however, was a different story. Against a Borussia side that was running out of steam, Bayer 04 established clear dominance on the pitch. The two substitutes, Dimitar Berbatov and Thomas Brdaric, finally secured a well-deserved equaliser in the 79th minute. The 20-year-old Bulgarian international striker scored his first Bundesliga goal following an assist from Brdaric. The score remained unchanged until the final whistle, and the team can now look forward to their upcoming first home match in the Champions League against FC Barcelona.

thrilling second half against mighty Barca

At the BayArena, sold out with 22,500 spectators at the game, the visitors from Spain impressed with their quality of play in the first half and, unsurprisingly, took the lead through Luis Enrique (22'). Four minutes later, the same player missed a golden opportunity to make it 2–0 for his side. Shortly afterwards, Hans Jörg Butt – usually such a reliable penalty taker – missed the chance to equalise, sending his spot-kick wide of the target (29’). Barcelona’s half-time lead was deserved, despite another good chance for Lucio.

Bayer 04, however, came out of the dressing room a completely different side. Klaus Toppmöller brought Yildiray Bastürk on in place of Zoltan Sebescen, and the Turkey international equalised on 52 minutes with a well-placed low shot into the left-hand corner. The Werkself are finally in the game and are now causing the Catalans all sorts of problems with some superb combination play. Then, in the 69th minute, their improved performance was rewarded: Lucio won the ball with a sliding tackle, Bernd Schneider crossed high into the box, where Oliver Neuville volleyed the ball into the net from eight metres to make it 2–1. Following this second victory in the Champions League, the chances of progressing from this very strong Group F look better than expected.

no chance for Freiburg at the BayArena

Back to the routine of the Bundesliga, another home match awaits. On 30 September, SC Freiburg visit the BayArena. The Werkself line up once again with the two centre-backs, Lucio and Jens Nowotny, in front of goalkeeper Hans Jörg Butt. Alongside them, Bernd Schneider plays on the right and Diego Placente on the left. Yildiray Bastürk and the slightly more defensive Michael Ballack provide the attacking spark in central midfield. Carsten Ramelow plays more down the right flank to support Bernd Schneider. Ze Roberto on the left wing and the two strikers, Ulf Kirsten and Oliver Neuville, complete the Werkself starting XI.

In the first twenty-five minutes, Bayer 04 put on an impressive display – despite having played on Tuesday – applying immense pressure to the Freiburg goal. The 2–0 lead, courtesy of goals from Bastürk and Ballack, was thoroughly deserved at that stage. After pulling one back, SC Freiburg managed to open up the game somewhat, but just before the half-time whistle, Ballack restored the two-goal lead with his second goal.

The pattern remained unchanged in the second half, and Oliver Neuville’s goal to make it 4–1 on 60 minutes sealed the result. With this victory, Bayer 04 are third in the table, just three points behind leaders FC Kaiserslautern, after matchday 8.