2001–02 Valencia CF season

Valencia CF won their first La Liga title for more than 30 years, in the first season under new coach Rafael Benítez. The Tenerife recruit had a tough start to his job, with several dropped points and a midfield slot in the beginning of the season, culminating in a disqualification from Copa del Rey for fielding too many non-EU players. Benítez was reported to be near the sack before an away game against Espanyol. With Valencia trailing 2-0 at halftime, the resurgence of the team in the second half allowed the inexperienced coach to keep the job, and it got to be a starting point for a winning streak that eventually saw Valencia claiming the entire league, despite taking only 75 points and scoring a mere 51 goals.

Valencia CF
2001–02 season
ManagerRafael Benítez
La Liga1st
UEFA CupQuarter-final
Copa del ReyFirst round
Top goalscorerRubén Baraja (7)

With the attacking play not flowing as previously, the all-conquering defence improved further, conceding only 29 goals, much thanks to keeper Santiago Cañizares and centre halves Mauricio Pellegrino and Roberto Ayala. Defensively minded midfielder Rubén Baraja happened to be the club top scorer with a mere seven goals, forming an effective protecting block with David Albelda.

Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Attackers

Results

La Liga
Main article: 2001–02 La Liga

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Valencia (C) 38 21 12 5 51 27 +24 75 2002–03 UEFA Champions League Group stage
2 Deportivo La Coruña 38 20 8 10 65 41 +24 68
3 Real Madrid 38 19 9 10 69 44 +25 66[lower-alpha 1]
4 Barcelona 38 18 10 10 65 37 +28 64 2002–03 UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round
5 Celta Vigo 38 16 12 10 64 46 +18 60 2002–03 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 goals scored; 5th goal difference; 6th number of goals scored; 7th Fair-play points
(C) Champion.
Notes:
  1. Real Madrid qualified directly for the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League as holders.

Matches
25 August 2001 1Valencia1–0Real Madrid
Angulo  8'
9 September 2001 2Valladolid1–1Valencia
Caminero  30' Salva  90'
16 September 2001 3Valencia1–0Las Palmas
David Albelda  62'
23 September 2001 4Athletic2–2Valencia
Joseba Etxeberría  64'
  • 2-2 Carlos García  90'
 Roberto Ayala  44'
30 September 2001 5Valencia0–0Alavés
4 October 2001 6Celta1–1Valencia
Florian Maurice  48' Juan Sánchez  6'
7 October 2001 7Valencia1–0Villarreal
Salva  45'
14 October 2001 8Barcelona2–2Valencia
Javier Saviola  43'
Gabri  74'		 Salva  26'
Carlos Marchena  72'
21 October 2001 9Valencia2–0Zaragoza
Kily González  32'
28 October 2001 10Sevilla1–1Valencia
Moisés  46' David Albelda  20'
4 November 2001 11Valencia2–1Rayo
Salva  22'Juan Sánchez  88' Roberto Peragón  40' (pen.)
11 November 2001 12Osasuna0–0Valencia
18 November 2001 13Valencia0–0Tenerife
25 November 2001 14Real Sociedad2–0Valencia
Edgaras Jankauskas  38'
1 December 2001 15Valencia1–1Mallorca
Mista  80' Albert Luque  13'
9 December 2001 16Deportivo1–0Valencia
Diego Tristán  59'
15 December 2001 17Espanyol2–3Valencia
Francisco Palencia  24'
  • 2-0 Alex Fernández  44'
 Francisco Rufete  59'
22 December 2001 18Valencia2–1Málaga
Vicente  25' Darío Silva  14'
6 January 2002 19Betis1–3Valencia
Capi  43' Salva  8'
13 January 2002 20Real Madrid1–0Valencia
Fernando Morientes  72'
20 January 2002 21Valencia1–2Valladolid
Mauricio Pellegrino  26' Luis García  20'
Fernando Sales  35'
26 January 2002 22Las Palmas0–1Valencia
Mista  7'
3 February 2002 23Valencia2–1Athletic
Mista  14'
Francisco Rufete  66'		 Joseba Etxeberría  73'
6 February 2002 24Alavés1–2Valencia
Martín Astudillo  2' Gonzalo de los Santos  3'
John Carew  27'
9 February 2002 25Valencia0–0Celta
16 February 2002 26Villarreal1–1Valencia
Rodolfo Arruabarrena  54' Pablo Aimar  83'
23 February 2002 27Valencia2–0Barcelona
Francisco Rufete  16'
Pablo Aimar  63'
3 March 2002 28Zaragoza0–1Valencia
Francisco Rufete  24'
10 March 2002 29Valencia2–0Sevilla
Juan Sánchez  66'
17 March 2002 30Rayo2–1Valencia
Mauricio Pellegrino  45' (o.g.)
Sergio Corino  58'		 Angulo  29'
24 March 2002 31Valencia2–1Osasuna
Juan Sánchez  78'
Rubén Baraja  90'		 John Aloisi  85'
30 March 2002 32Tenerife0–1Valencia
Pablo Aimar  77'
7 April 2002 33Valencia4–0Real Sociedad
Rubén Baraja  12'
Kily González  28'
Angulo  55'
Mista  89'
13 April 2002 34Mallorca1–1Valencia
Albert Luque  45' Rubén Baraja  63'
21 April 2002 35Valencia1–0Deportivo
Aldo Duscher 69' (o.g.)
27 April 2002 36Valencia2–1Espanyol
Rubén Baraja  68' Raúl Tamudo  30' (pen.)
5 May 2002 37Málaga0–2Valencia
Roberto Ayala  35'
11 May 2002 38Valencia2–0Betis
Rubén Baraja  44'

Top scorers

La Liga
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