The 2003-04 campaign was a season of frustration and missed opportunities for Borussia Dortmund as Die Schwarzgelben ultimately slumped to a disappointing 6th-place finish in the Bundesliga, only securing a spot in the Intertoto Cup. The season's struggles were acutely felt due to the prolonged absence of the team's creative heart, playmaker Tomáš Rosický, who missed nearly half the campaign with injury. Despite this turmoil, the formidable striking partnership of Brazilian Ewerthon and Czech giant Jan Koller delivered, with both players firing in 16 goals apiece. The year was defined by the early, heart-breaking Champions League qualifying exit to Club Brugge on penalties and the unsettling backdrop of mounting financial problems, marking a turbulent chapter in the club's history.