2002–03 Real Sociedad season

Season summary

During the 2002–03 season, Real Sociedad were involved in a title race for the first time in decades.

After a series of impressive performances, stretching from September to February the club reached the top of the table. During February and March their league form faltered, and the title challenge looked over. However the club managed to re-establish itself back at the top in April. An emphatic 4-2 defeat of Real Madrid’s galacticos at Anoeta in April was the team’s signature performance.

The turning point came in early June. Failing to beat Valencia and losing away to Celta de Vigo- who were after a UCL qualification spot- meant that the Guipuscoan club missed on the league trophy. On the last match day a home victory against Atlético Madrid was sterile, as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao and thus became league champions. A home draw against Villareal in March is also blamed for this outcome.

The club’s fanbase and the entire province paid tribute to the squad regardless of their failure to win the trophy.

Squad
Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ESP Alberto
2 DF  NOR Bjørn Tore Kvarme
3 DF  ESP Agustín Aranzábal
4 MF  ESP Xabi Alonso
5 DF  ESP Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga
6 DF  ARG Gabriel Schurrer
7 DF  ESP Igor Jauregi
8 MF  TUR Tayfun Korkut[2]
9 FW  SCG Darko Kovačević
10 MF  ESP Javier de Pedro
11 MF  ESP Mikel Aranburu
12 DF  ESP José Antonio Pikabea
14 DF  ESP Aitor López Rekarte
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW  TUR Nihat Kahveci
16 FW  ESP Joseba Llorente
17 FW  ESP Igor Gabilondo
19 MF  RUS Dmitri Khokhlov
20 MF  ESP José Barkero
21 FW  ESP Óscar de Paula
23 DF  ESP Sergio Boris
24 MF  RUS Valery Karpin[3]
25 GK  NED Sander Westerveld
28 MF  ESP Mikel Alonso
29 GK  ESP Mikel Saizar
37 GK  ESP Pablo

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
26 MF  ESP Kristian Alberdi (on loan to Real Unión)
No. Pos. Nation Player
27 MF  ESP Gari Uranga (on loan to Eibar)

Player stats

Competitions

La Liga
Main article: 2002–03 La Liga

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Real Madrid (C) 38 22 12 4 86 42 +44 78 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2 Real Sociedad 38 22 10 6 71 45 +26 76
3 Deportivo La Coruña 38 22 6 10 67 47 +20 72 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
4 Celta Vigo 38 17 10 11 45 36 +9 61
5 Valencia 38 17 9 12 56 35 +21 60 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
Source: LFP
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head away goals scored; 5th goal difference; 6th number of goals scored; 7th Fair-play points
(C) Champion.

References
  1. http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/spain/2002-2003/laliga/sociedad.htm
  2. Korkut was born in Stuttgart, Germany.
  3. Karpin was born in Narva, Estonia.


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