The 2003-04 campaign was a season of domestic disappointment and new attacking brilliance for Bayern Munich as Der FCB finished 2nd in the Bundesliga, ultimately failing to secure major silverware. Leading the charge was the clinical new Dutch signing, Roy Makaay, whose outstanding 23 league goals, part of a 31-goal haul across all competitions, proved decisive and earned him the fan nickname 'Phantom'. Under manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, the team, featuring the midfield power of Michael Ballack, was sadly defined by a failure to beat rivals Werder Bremen to the title and an early Champions League Round of 16 exit to Real Madrid, making it a year of unfulfilled potential but one that launched Makaay's legendary status.