In the season itself, Perugia fought in the middle of the table all year, but ended only four points above the dropzone, and in the end relied on inspired performances against top sides to seal the contract. Perugia's highlight of the season was a 4–1 victory against Inter, but it also beat Milan and drew at champions Juventus's home.
Its two most fancied players, Fabrizio Miccoli and Manuele Blasi were both bought by Juventus following the season, Miccoli being hailed as one of the season's major breakthroughs. Despite interest from top clubs, Perugia was able to keep right-back Zé Maria, who grew in importance during the season.
Source: 2002–03 Serie A, Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Draw. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[2] Notes:
The 2003–04 Serie A was the 102nd season of top-tier Italian football, the 72nd in a round-robin tournament. It contained 18 teams for the 16th and last time from the 1988–89 season. With the bottom three being relegated, the 15th placed side would face the sixth-highest team from Serie B, with the winner playing in the Serie A in the subsequent 2004–05 season.
The 2002–03 Serie A was the 101st season of top-tier Italian football, the 71st in a round-robin tournament. It was composed by 18 teams, for the 15th consecutive time from season 1988–89.
The 2000–01 Serie A was the 99th season of top-tier Italian football, the 69th in a round-robin tournament. It was contested by 18 teams, for the 13th consecutive season since 1988–89.
The 2002–03 season was the 103rd season in Società Sportiva Lazio's history and their 15th consecutive season in the top-flight of Italian football. Under new manager Roberto Mancini, Lazio finished 4th in Serie A and reached the semi-finals of both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup.
The 2003–04 season was the 104th season in Società Sportiva Lazio's history and their 16th consecutive season in the top-flight of Italian football. Despite financial problems, Lazio attained a respectable 6th place in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia, defeating Juventus in the two-legged final.
In 2002–03, Associazione Calcio Milan enjoyed a triumphant season, winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia. In their 6th conquest of Europe's most prestigious competition, Milan defeated fierce rivals Juventus on penalties after a 0–0 draw in an all-Italian final, while in the Coppa Italia they overcame Roma. In the Serie A, Milan were top of the table in January, but would eventually finish 3rd behind Juventus and Inter, thus missing the chance to complete the treble.
Parma Associazione Calcio regained its respect following a lacklustre Serie A and Champions League performance the year before. Under new coach Cesare Prandelli, Parma played an offensive 4–3–3 formation, in which new offensive signings Adrian Mutu and Adriano starred. Both made up for the departure of Marco Di Vaio to Juventus. Mutu scored 18 goals from the left wing, and Parma accepted a multimillion-pound offer from Chelsea in the summer, which meant the Romanian international only spent a year at the club. Also impressing were goalkeeper Sébastien Frey and young centre-halves Matteo Ferrari and Daniele Bonera, who proved to be acceptable replacements for departed captain Fabio Cannavaro, who had joined Inter in late August 2002.
Associazione Sportiva Roma crashed down to earth following its previous two remarkable seasons, where it had won Serie A in 2000–01 and finished a close second in 2001–02. Despite the acquisition of Pep Guardiola as central midfielder, he did not apparently fit into Fabio Capello's first-team plans. The squad was essentially the same as the year before, and Guardiola's absence from the starting XI spoke volumes about the reputation of the Roma players at the time. However, things began to go against Roma following its tense competition in Serie A with Juventus. Suspecting things were amiss, both chairman Franco Sensi and manager Capello publicly condemned the judgements, and given the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, chances are they had a point.
The 2003–04 season was Juventus Football Club's 106th in existence and 102nd consecutive season in the top flight of Italian football.
Associazione Sportiva Roma had a tremendous season in the league, scoring most goals and conceding the fewest goals of all teams, but despite this, A.C. Milan were able to run away with the title, due to a greater efficiency in winning their matches.
A.C. Perugia were relegated from Serie A with a bang, following a chaotic season, in which president Luciano Gaucci managed to upset the Italian football society, by claiming that the referees' were deliberately trying to relegate Perugia to Serie B. Prior to the season, he performed a PR-stunt, when signing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Al-Saadi Gaddafi He also continued trying to sign female players, trying to sign both Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson, according to Swedish daily Aftonbladet.
During the 2001–02 season Bologna Football Club 1909 competed in Serie A and Coppa Italia.
U.C. Sampdoria returned to Serie A after a four year-absence, and immediately re-established itself as a team on the top half of the domestic championship. Goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli offered crucial experience, but apart from him did the bulk of the squad play in the 2002-03 Serie B, with top goalscorers Fabio Bazzani and Francesco Flachi quickly adjusting themselves to the higher pace of Serie A. Midfielders Sergio Volpi and Angelo Palombo also stood out. Right back Aimo Diana even earned a call-up to the national team following his performances.
Reggina Calcio just renewed its Serie A contract, thanks to a late surge in the league competition and a successful spareggio against Atalanta. Reggina drew 0-0 at home, and then turned around a deficit to win 2-1 away from home, with Francesco Cozza and Emiliano Bonazzoli being the match-winners. The player who got the most headlines during the season was Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, who scored seven goals and created several others. He also helped Reggina to get onto the Asian market, so the signing was largely hailed as a genial manoeuvre by president Pasquale Foti.
Atalanta B.C. lost its momentum it had built in its first two Serie A seasons in its stint, eventually being relegated following a playoff against Reggina. The championship was such competitive than Atalanta was only four points away from repeating its 9th place from the 2001-02 season, but instead had to face Serie B competition, losing key players such as Cristiano Doni, Luciano Zauri and Ousmane Dabo to bigger clubs.
Piacenza Calcio were relegated in the second season in the top echelon of Italian football. Coach Andrea Agostinelli was soon sacked, but Luigi Cagni could not save Piacenza from going down.
During the 2002–03 Italian football season, Brescia competed in the Serie A.
During the 2003–04 Italian football season, Brescia Calcio competed in the Serie A.
During the 2002–03 Italian football season, Bologna F.C. 1909 competed in the Serie A.
During the 2000–01 season Brescia Calcio competed in Serie A and Coppa Italia.
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