1- Oliver
Bierhoff and Udinese 1995/96
German striker Oliver Bierhoff had played for a number of teams in
the Bundesliga, but had not achieved much. He drifted from the Austrian League
to the Italian Serie B in the early 1990s. His big break came when he joined
Serie A’s Udinese in 1995. His impressive form there finally earned him
International honors and Berti Vogts called him up in 1996. That year he
achieved stardom after scoring Germany’s goals in the UEFA European
Championships Final vs. Czech Republic.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998
(Oliver Bierhoff at Udinese, 1997/98) |
2- Dominique
Rocheteau and Paris St. Germain 1985/86
French Striker Dominique Rocheteau’s career seemed in a decline
after a disappointing Euro 1984 Tournament. However, his luck turned around in
the summer of 1985. His club Paris St. Germain acquired a number of key players
to make a challenge for the French league title. Rocheteau regained his form as
PSG stormed to the title. His reward was a place on France’s 1986 World Cup
team.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 122, February 1986
(Dominique
Rocheteau)
|
3- Rob
Wischge and Feyenoord 1991/92
Dutch midfielder Rob Witschge had lost his place in the National
Team following his move to French club Saint Etienne in 1989. He returned
afterwards to the Dutch League and joined Feyenoord. During this period his
younger brother Richard was seen as the future leader of Holland and was a
starter in the National Team. However, an injury deprived Richard of
participation in the 1992 Euros. Rob Witschge, who had been regaining his form
at Feyenoord, was called in his place and became a starter in Holland’s 1992
Euros squad.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 7, August 1989
(Rob
Witschge at Saint Etienne, 1989/90)
|
4- Michel
Preud’homme and Mechelen 1986/97
Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme was a promising youngster and had earned
caps (1979 –1981) with many more on the horizon.
His involvement in the Standard Liege-Waterschei scandal of 1984
sidetracked his career and he was suspended. After his suspension, a transfer
to ambitious side Mechelen changed his fortunes. In late 1987, he overtook
Jean-Marie Pfaff as Belgium’s starting goalkeeper and stayed in his position up
to the 1994 World Cup.
 |
Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 96, March 1988
(Michel
Preud’homme)
|
5- Klaus
Allofs and Werder Bremen 1990/93
5-German striker Klaus Allofs joined Werder
Bremen in the summer of 1990 after his spell in the French League. He was at
the veteran stage of his career was seen to be winding down his career.
However, the veteran fit in well at Bremen and helped Werder win the Cup in
1991, the Cup Winners Cup in 1992 and the Bundesliga League title in 1993 to
retire in style.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 24, January 1991
(Klaus
Allofs at Werder Bremen, 1990/91)
|
