The 2004/05 Bundesliga season saw a title race between Bayern Munich and Schalke 04, with the former coming out as champions. Bayern Munich finished the season with 77 points, 14 points ahead of second-placed Schalke 04. At the other end of the table, Bochum, Freiburg, and Rostock were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.
A fun set with some of my favourite players featuring, many who end up playing for my team, Arsenal. Let’s get into the top 10!
The Panini German Bundesliga 2004-2005 Complete Album
10 – Thomas Broich Rookie Sticker – #345
Thomas Broich is a retired German football player who played primarily as an attacking midfielder. He was known for his technical ability, vision, and creativity on the pitch.
During the 2004/05 season, Broich played for Borussia Mönchengladbach, where they just survived relegation. Broich’s play style was characterized by his ability to create space and time for himself and his teammates on the pitch. He was often the focal point of his team’s attacking play, using his excellent dribbling skills and vision to pick out passes and create scoring opportunities.
Thomas Broich played for Brisbane Roar in the A-League from 2010 to 2017. During his time with the club, he was regarded as one of the best foreign players to ever play in the league. Broich was an instrumental part of the Roar’s success during their championship-winning seasons in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Probably not a rookie everyone is going to be chasing but is an interesting one, especially for Australians.
9 – Aliaksandr Hleb #455 – Rookie Sticker from Panini German Football Bundesliga 2002-2003
Aliaksandr Hleb is a Belarusian former professional footballer who was known for his excellent dribbling ability and his dynamic play style. He primarily played as an attacking midfielder and was often deployed on the left wing as well.
Hleb’s trademark skill was his dribbling, which was characterized by quick changes of pace, tight control of the ball, and a superb sense of balance. He also had excellent vision and was adept at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. In addition to his attacking prowess, Hleb was also a hard worker on the defensive end of the pitch, and he was known for his tireless work rate and willingness to track back and defend.
In the 2004/05 season, Hleb had an outstanding campaign with VfB Stuttgart. He played a key role in helping his team secure fifth position, providing creativity and energy in midfield and assisting 12 times. His impressive performances earned him a move to Arsenal the following season, where he continued to showcase his skill on the ball and his ability to create chances for his teammates.
8 – Dimitar Berbatov #297 – Rookie Sticker from Panini German Football Bundesliga 2002-2003
Dimitar Berbatov is a Bulgarian former professional football player who was known for his elegant play style and remarkable composure on the ball. He was a technically gifted player with excellent first touch, vision, and finishing ability. Berbatov was a natural playmaker and striker, who could orchestrate the team’s attacking moves and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
He has an innate ability to control even the most difficult of passes with exceptional ease, often pulling off flicks and touches that leave defenders chasing shadows. His first touch was so good that it often seems like he has an extra second on the ball, allowing him to pick out the perfect pass or take a shot on goal.
In the 2004/05 season, Berbatov played for Bayer Leverkusen and quickly established himself as one of the most talented strikers in the league. He finished the season with 20 goals in 33 appearances, helping his team to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Berbatov’s performances caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him for a club-record fee in 2006. Berbatov went on to play for Manchester United and Fulham, among others, and became one of the most recognisable footballers of his generation.
7 – Marek Mintál Rookie Sticker – #400
Marek Mintal is a retired Slovakian footballer who was known for his prolific goal-scoring ability and intelligent movements on the field. He was a technically gifted forward with excellent finishing skills and a great sense of positioning in the box.
During the 2004/05 season with Nurnberg, Mintal was at the peak of his form, scoring an incredible 24 goals in 34 appearances. He was instrumental in Nürnberg’s survival in the Bundesliga!
Marek Mintal was nicknamed the “Stealth Bomber” due to his ability to score without being noticed, as well as the “Sniper” and the “Phantom” due to his clinical finishing in front of goal. These nicknames were given to him by fans and the media in recognition of his impressive goal-scoring record and ability to find the back of the net seemingly out of nowhere.
6 – Tomáš Rosický – #132 – Rookie Sticker from Panini German Football Bundesliga 2001/02
Tomáš Rosický was a Czech midfielder known for his intelligent playmaking and technical ability on the ball. He was dubbed the “little Mozart” for his creativity, vision, and precision passing on the pitch. Rosický was known for his quick feet and agility, as well as his ability to create space and find the killer pass in tight situations.
Tomáš Rosický was immensely popular among fans due to his impressive technical abilities and creative style of play on the pitch. Throughout his career, Rosický played for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, where he was a key player in their midfield. He was known for his ability to control the tempo of the game and create chances for his teammates, as well as his composure in front of goal.
In the 2004/05 season with Borussia Dortmund, Rosický played a key role in helping the team scoring 4 goals and provided 4 assists in 27 league appearances, demonstrating his ability to create and score goals from midfield.
Rosický was also plagued by injuries throughout his time at Arsenal, which often limited his playing time and prevented him from reaching his full potential. Despite this, he remained a highly respected player and a fan favourite for his skill and work ethic on the pitch.
5 – Tranquillo Barnetta Rookie Sticker – #235
Tranquillo Barnetta is a retired Swiss footballer who played primarily as a winger or attacking midfielder. He was known for his technical ability, dribbling skills.
During the 2004/05 season, Barnetta only managed 7 appearances in a Leverkusen side that finished sixth. Barnetta’s style of play was characterised by his versatility and creativity. He was equally comfortable playing on either flank or in the center of the pitch. His ability to beat defenders with his dribbling skills and deliver accurate crosses made him a dangerous attacking threat. He was also known for his work rate and defensive contributions, often tracking back to help his team in defence.
He then went on to play for Schalke 04, Eintracht Frankfurt, Philadelphia Union, and finished his career in St. Gallen, where it all began. Barnetta also represented the Swiss national team, earning 75 caps and scoring 10 goals.
4 – Marco Streller Rookie Sticker – #461
Marco Streller was a was a versatile striker who was tall and physically strong, which helped him to win aerial duels. Streller was a classic target man who could hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play. He was also a clinical finisher who could score with both feet and his head. Despite his height and strength, he had good technical ability and could play with the ball at his feet.
During the 2004/05 season with Stuttgart, Streller only featured 8 times, scoring no goals.
Marco Streller is a highly regarded and respected figure among FC Basel fans. He spent several seasons at the club, both as a player and in various coaching roles, and played a significant role in the team’s success during his time there. Streller was known for his work ethic and dedication on the pitch, and his leadership qualities made him a favorite among fans and teammates alike. Marco Streller scored 144 goals in 325 appearances across all competitions, making him FC Basel’s all-time top scorer.
3 – Bastian Schweinsteiger – #376 – Rookie Sticker from Panini German Football Bundesliga 2003/04
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a former German professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He was known for his technical skills, passing ability, and versatility on the pitch. Schweinsteiger was a complete midfielder who was capable of playing both defensively and offensively.
During his early years at Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger played as a right-winger before being converted into a central midfielder. His 2004/05 season was one of his breakthrough campaigns, as he established himself as a key player for Bayern Munich. He played a vital role in helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title that season, contributing three goals.
Schweinsteiger’s career at Bayern Munich was illustrious, and he went on to become a club legend. He spent 17 years at the club and won numerous domestic and international trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB-Pokal cups, and the UEFA Champions League in 2013. He was also an integral part of the German national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Schweinsteiger was renowned for his leadership skills both on and off the pitch and was highly respected by his teammates and fans.
2 – Stefan Kießling Rookie Sticker – #407
Stefan Kießling played as a striker. He was known for his poaching ability and aerial prowess in the penalty box. He was tall and had good positioning skills, which allowed him to win many headers in the box and score goals from crosses and set-pieces. He was also known for his intelligent movement inside the box, which made him a dangerous poacher and a constant threat to opposition defences.
In the 2004/05 season, Kießling played for 1. FC Nürnberg in the Bundesliga, scoring 3 goals in 27 league appearances. Despite not scoring a large number of goals that season, Kießling’s ability to find space in the box and score important goals helped him earn a reputation as a clinical striker.
He spent the majority of his career at Bayer Leverkusen, where he became the club’s second all-time leading scorer in the Bundesliga, scoring 163 goals in 444 appearances.
I think this is a super rookie sticker. Kiessling is one of the great Bundesliga strikers!
1 – Philipp Lahm Rookie Sticker – #448
Philipp Lahm is the best rookie sticker in Panini German Football Bundesliga 2004-2005.
Philipp Lahm is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation, with his intelligence, versatility, and consistency making him an invaluable asset for both club and country. Lahm was equally adept at playing as a right-back or a left-back and was also capable of filling in as a defensive midfielder when required.
Lahm was known for his precise passing, excellent ball control, and his ability to read the game, allowing him to make crucial interceptions and tackles. His leadership skills were also highly praised, with Lahm often captaining both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
During his time at Bayern Munich, Lahm won numerous titles, including eight Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League. He played a key role in the team’s treble-winning campaign in the 2012/13 season, and was widely regarded as one of the team’s most consistent performers.
In the 2004/05 season with Stuttgart on loan, Lahm played a key role in the team’s impressive campaign, helping them secure a fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga. He returned to Bayern in the 2005/06 season and cemented himself as a club legend
In terms of Bayern players, Lahm is one of the best rookie stickers you can get. A very safe investment.
Summary
A very cool set with a bunch of great players to miss out. Marek Mintal was a very interesting sticker, so late in his career to get his rookie sticker, and, in the same season, bag 24 goals, taking home the golden boot. I thought I would put Broich in to make things interesting. He lit up the A-League in my home country so I may have been a bit bias with that decision.
Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts below.
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