The 1998-99 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for 1. FC Nürnberg as Der Club finished a crushing 16th in the Bundesliga and were relegated on the final day. Having just returned to the top flight, the season was defined by a desperate, nail-biting battle to survive until the final whistle. Leading the charge was the prolific striker Saša Ćirić, whose 13 crucial goals anchored the team's attack. However, a devastating 1-2 loss to direct rivals Freiburg in the final round, combined with dramatic results elsewhere, saw the team shockingly drop from 12th to the 16th-place relegation spot in the final moments. It remains a painful and unforgettable chapter in the club's history.