2005-2010

Highlight Moments in the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League

After the 1993 championship, Werder first tasted the Champions League, the former European Cup. Since the double in 2004, Werder became a regular participant in this European elite competition. There were highlight moments against teams like Chelsea London, FC Barcelona, and Inter Milan. And last but not least, a triumph in the DFB-Pokal. But step by step:

In summer 2004, top scorer and fan favorite Ailton left Thomas Schaaf’s championship team to join FC Schalke 04. His replacement was Miroslav Klose from Kaiserslautern, who duly filled in for the Brazilian. The so-called “K&K strike force” of Ivan Klasnic and Klose hunted goals for Werder. In the season following the double, Werder consolidated their place among the Bundesliga’s top teams and finished third. In the Champions League, Werder passed the group stage but were then decisively defeated by French champions Olympique Lyon.

For the 2005/06 season, Torsten Frings returned to the Weser, and defender Naldo joined Schaaf’s team. Werder again qualified for the Champions League, this time against FC Basel, and reached the round of 16. Against Juventus Turin, Werder was even the better side but missed out on an early decision and went out after a goalkeeper error by Tim Wiese, who made headlines with his so-called “Wiese-roll.” Wiese established himself as Andreas Reinke’s successor and became Werder’s number one goalkeeper and later even Germany’s national goalkeeper. In the league, Werder finished runners-up behind Bayern in 2006. The league’s top scorer was Werder’s Miroslav Klose with 25 goals.

Au revoir Micoud! Olá Diego!

In summer 2006, midfield maestro Johan Micoud left for his former club Girondins Bordeaux. Werder brought in Brazilian playmaker Diego Ribas da Cunha from Porto, who thrilled fans as much as Micoud had. Werder faced a tough Champions League group with Chelsea London, FC Barcelona, and Levski Sofia, narrowly missing the round of 16 despite a home win over Chelsea and a draw with Barca. Instead, Werder reached the UEFA Cup semifinal, losing to Espanyol Barcelona. They again qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in the Bundesliga.

The 2007/08 season started without Miroslav Klose, who transferred to FC Bayern. Werder again finished second in the league behind Bayern. One highlight was an 8-1 home victory over Arminia Bielefeld. Chelsea, Barcelona, and Olympiakos featured in Champions League group stage matches. Werder recorded exciting home wins against Real Madrid and Lazio Roma but lost twice to Olympiakos Piraeus. They moved on in the UEFA Cup but lost in the round of 16 to Glasgow Rangers.

In 2008/09, Werder finished only tenth in the league but excelled in cup competitions. After finishing third in the Champions League group, Werder marched to the UEFA Cup final before the competition was renamed the Europa League. They eliminated northern rival Hamburg SV in the semifinals during a period with four derbies in 19 days, winning both the DFB-Pokal semifinal and league duel against Hamburg. In the UEFA Cup final, Werder narrowly lost to Shakhtar Donetsk. However, thanks to midfielder Mesut Özil, a rising star alongside Diego, Werder won the DFB-Pokal final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, claiming the cup for the sixth time.

It was Diego’s last title before moving to Juventus Turin. In the year of the club’s 111th anniversary, Werder returned to the Bundesliga’s top tier. With a strong late-season push, Werder secured third place, qualifying for the Champions League for the fifth time in six years. Their Europa League run ended in the round of 16 after two thrilling matches against FC Valencia. They also reached the DFB-Pokal final but lost 0-4 to Bayern Munich.

Star Moments in the Champions League