AC Perugia finished tenth in Serie A, and reached the semis of the Coppa Italia in a successful season by the club's standards.
The season started off with much negative publicity for club president Luciano Gaucci, when he decided to let South Korean striker Ahn Jung-Hwan go, following the Korean's winning goal against Italy in the FIFA World Cup.
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.
Squad
Goalkeepers Željko Kalac Sebastiano Rossi Michele Tardioli
Defenders Zé Maria Marco Di Loreto Mauro Milanese Fabio Grosso Sean Sogliano Rahman Rezaei William Viali Konstantinos Loumpoutis
Midfielders Christian Obodo Manuele Blasi Giovanni Tedesco Massimiliano Fusani Luigi Pagliuca Roberto Baronio Giovanni Sulcis Fabio Gatti
Attackers Fabrizio Miccoli Zisis Vryzas Andrea Caracciolo Emanuele Berrettoni Nicola Amoruso Antonio Criniti Lorenzo Crocetti
Competitions
Serie A
League table
Matches
Top scorers
Fabrizio Miccoli 9 Zé Maria 6 Zisis Vryzas 5 Fabio Grosso 4 Giovanni Tedesco 3
References
External links RSSSF - Italy 2002/03