Borussia Dortmund clinched its 6th national championship, thanks to a stellar ending to the season, passing long-time leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the penultimate round, before sealing the title with a win on the final day. It also reached the final of the UEFA Cup, where it had the disadvantage of playing away from home against Feyenoord. With skipper Jürgen Kohler being sent off in his final match of the career, Feyenoord were able to win 3–2 and deprive Dortmund of its first international title since its famous UEFA Champions Leaguevictory in 1997.
Key players in Dortmund's success were Czech duo Jan Koller and Tomáš Rosický, top scorer Márcio Amoroso and German internationals such as Christoph Metzelder, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Christian Wörns. It was coach Matthias Sammer's first season in charge, and the 1996 European Player of the Year was an instant hit, becoming one of the very few coaches to win one of Europe's top domestic league at his first attempt.
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Demel was born in Orsay, France, but would acquire an Ivory Coast passport in 2004 and would make his international debut for Ivory Coast in 2004.
^Addo was born in Hamburg, West Germany (now Germany), but also qualified to represent Ghana internationally and made his international debut for Ghana in February 1999.
