2002–03 Udinese Calcio season

Udinese Calcio bounced back from the hugely disappointing 2001–02 Serie A season, in which it only just managed to avoid relegation. Under new coach Luciano Spalletti, Udinese gathered strength, and was a constant feature on the top half of the league table. Even though the squad lacked the goalscoring punch, the defence led by Néstor Sensini and surprising goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis held it together to such a degree it finished sixth in the league. Also Czech signing Marek Jankulovski impressed, the Napoli signing switching form left-wing to left back, causing interest from several bigger clubs. In the offence, Udinese's most influential player was David Pizarro, who scored seven times from the midfield and grabbed the attention from Lazio, who tried to sign him and teammate Martin Jørgensen immediately after the season had finished. Undisclosed Lazio players refused moving to Udine as compensation for the transfers, and both stayed on, much to the relief of Spalletti.

Udinese Calcio
2002–03 season
ChairmanGiampaolo Pozzo
ManagerLuciano Spalletti
Serie A6th
Coppa ItaliaSecond Round
Top goalscorerVincenzo Iaquinta
David Pizarro (7)

Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Attackers

Serie A
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
4 Lazio 34 15 15 4 57 32 +25 60 Qualification to Champions League third qualifying round
5 Parma 34 15 11 8 55 36 +19 56[lower-alpha 1] Qualification to UEFA Cup first round
6 Udinese 34 16 8 10 38 35 +3 56[lower-alpha 1]
7 Chievo 34 16 7 11 51 39 +12 55
8 Roma[lower-alpha 2] 34 13 10 11 55 46 +9 49 Qualification to UEFA Cup first round
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).[1]
Notes:
  1. Udinese finished ahead of Parma on head-to-head points: Udinese 1–1 Parma, Parma 3–2 Udinese.
  2. Roma qualified for the first round of the 2003-04 UEFA Cup as Coppa Italia runner-up because the winner, Milan, qualified for Champions League through championship position.

Games

The match was abandoned due to Como fans rioting against a third penalty for Udinese in the match. Following previous misses by Vincenzo Iaquinta and Roberto Muzzi; David Pizarro was set to take the third one, but the riots ended the match prematurely. Udinese was handed the win 2–0, with Pinzi as the only goalscorer. Como was given a four-match suspension from playing at home.

Sources
  1. Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio - La Storia 1898-2004, Panini Edizioni, Modena, September 2005 "Norme organizzative interne della F.I.G.C. - Art. 51.6" (PDF) (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
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