2002–03 Real Sociedad season

Real Sociedad
2002–03 season
Manager France Raynald Denoueix
La Liga 2nd
Copa del Rey First round
Top goalscorer Nihat Kahveci (23)

Season summary

In the 2002-2003 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. Position Player
1 Spain GK Alberto
2 Norway DF Bjørn Tore Kvarme
3 Spain DF Agustín Aranzábal
4 Spain MF Xabi Alonso
5 Spain DF Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga
6 Argentina DF Gabriel Schurrer
7 Spain DF Igor Jauregi
8 Turkey MF Tayfun Korkut[2]
9 Serbia and Montenegro FW Darko Kovačević
10 Spain MF Javier de Pedro
11 Spain MF Mikel Aranburu
12 Spain DF José Antonio Pikabea
14 Spain DF Aitor López Rekarte
No. Position Player
15 Turkey FW Nihat Kahveci
16 Spain FW Joseba Llorente
17 Spain FW Igor Gabilondo
19 Russia MF Dmitri Khokhlov
20 Spain MF José Barkero
21 Spain FW Óscar de Paula
23 Spain DF Sergio Boris
24 Russia MF Valery Karpin[3]
25 Netherlands GK Sander Westerveld
28 Spain MF Mikel Alonso
29 Spain GK Mikel Saizar
37 Spain GK 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. Position Player
26 Spain MF Kristian Alberdi (on loan to Real Unión)
No. Position Player
27 Spain MF Gari Uranga (on loan to Eibar)

Player stats

References


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