The 1997-98 campaign was a season of firsts and brilliant resurgence for Bayer Leverkusen, with Die Werkself finishing a strong 3rd in the Bundesliga. This crucial finish secured a UEFA Cup spot and came after a remarkable turnaround from a false start that saw the team climb dramatically from 15th place. Leading the charge was the legendary striker Ulf Kirsten, whose 22 Bundesliga goals secured him the coveted Golden Boot for the third time in his career, powered by memorable hat-tricks and a stunning double against rivals Bayern Munich. The season was also defined by their historic debut in the UEFA Champions League, where, under manager Christoph Daum, they impressively reached the Quarter-finals before a respectable elimination by eventual champions Real Madrid. It was a standout year built on Kirsten's firepower and an unforgettable 21-game unbeaten league run.