1.01.2023Bayer 04

Match of the month: Naivety, inability and desperation

The 2002/03 season counts as one of the most difficult in the history of Bayer 04. The Werkself battled against relegation from the start and, above all, against themselves. The magical 2001/2002 campaign and unfortunately quickly been forgotten. The departure of Michael Ballack and Zé Roberto to Bayern Munich could never be compensated by the signing of Jan Simak. Bayer 04 were fourteenth in the table on 20 points at the end of the Hinrunde.

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Bottom-of-the-table Energie Cottbus visited the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday 26 January 2003. Hopes were pinned on the Jens Nowotny who made his first start since suffering a torn cruciate in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. He also had the first chance of the game with a flying header on 14 minutes but after that everything went wrong for the Werkself. Goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt misjudged a shot from the Cottbus player Gebhardt and the ball crept in at the near post. The few chances for Jan Simak, Pascal Ojigwe and the Brazilian Franca were either poor or failed through a mixture of bad luck and lack of ability.

Skipper Jens Nowotny caught his foot in the turf in the second half after a challenge with the Cottbus player Juskowiak and he twisted his knee. The returning international player should actually have come off but coach Klaus Toppmöller had already made three substitutions leaving Jenne to complete the match in pain. The game ended in a disastrous 3-0 defeat and it was the fifth home game in succession without a win. Even worse was the diagnosis for Jens Nowotny the next day – another torn cruciate and the prospect of at least six months on the sidelines.

Stewards with dogs gathered on the players car park as several dozen fans had gathered at the fence. However, there was no trouble unlike the previous matchday. Shock was widespread amongst Bayer 04 fans and anger had turned into fear and desperation.

The 2002/03 season ended with a close shave in the summer. Bayer 04 salvaged something from an horrific season with a 1-0 win at FC Nürnberg on the final matchday ensuring relegation was avoided.

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