In 2002–03, Associazione Calcio Milan enjoyed a triumphant season, winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia. In their 6th conquest of Europe's most prestigious competition, Milan defeated fierce rivals Juventus on penalties after a 0–0 draw in an all-Italian final, while in the Coppa Italia they overcame Roma. In the Serie A, Milan were top of the table in January, but would eventually finish third behind Juventus and Inter, thus missing the chance to complete the treble.
This was Milan's first successful season since 1998–99. Important new arrivals included Italian international centre-back Alessandro Nesta (signed from Lazio for €31 million –Milan's most expensive transfer in the summer of 2002)Nesta al Milan, ora è ufficiale La Gazzetta dello Sport, 31 August 2002 who strengthened a defence that was already among Europe's most formidable, versatile Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf (signed from cross-city rivals Inter for €29 million)Il romanzo degli scambi tra Milan e Inter Ultimouomo.com, 18 November 2016 and Danish international striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was mainly used to back up regular starters Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi. Brazilian superstar Rivaldo, the most high-profile of the new signings, had a peripheral role in the Serie A, but was influential in the Champions League, appearing in 13 out of 17 matches, although not in the final, where he was an unused substitute.Champions League Tactical line-ups Uefa.com, 28 May 2003
This season also saw Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti beginning to utilise the unconventional 4–4–2 diamond (or 4–1–2–1–2) formation, which he would continue to employ on many occasions in later seasons.A Gritty Milan "News – Notizie, rassegna stampa, ultim'ora, calcio mercato" This formation allowed Ancelotti to field both Andrea Pirlo and Rui Costa in the starting eleven, with Pirlo as a deep-lying playmaker or regista and Rui Costa as an attacking midfielder or trequartista; the 4–1–2–1–2 worked well for Milan in large part thanks to the effectiveness, hard work and stamina of central midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso.
Players Squad at end of season
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type DF Alessandro Nesta Lazio €31.00 million MF Clarence Seedorf Inter €22.50 million DF Dario Šimić Inter €5.00 million MF Samuele Dalla Bona Chelsea €1.60 million FW Rivaldo Barcelona free FW Jon Dahl Tomasson Feyenoord free FW Marco Borriello Treviso loan ended MF Pablo García Venezia loan ended GK Gabriele Aldegani Cosenza loan ended GK Dida Corinthians loan ended DF Samir Beloufa Germinal Beerschot loan ended DF Francesco Coco Barcelona loan ended DF Fabricio Coloccini Alavés loan ended Out Pos. Name to Type DF Francesco Coco Inter €22.50 million MF Ümit Davala Inter €2.00 million GK Sebastiano Rossi Perugia DF Samir Beloufa Bastia DF Cosmin Contra Atlético Madrid FW José Mari Atlético Madrid FW Javi Moreno Atlético Madrid GK Gabriele Aldegani Livorno loan MF Demetrio Albertini Atlético Madrid loan DF Fabricio Coloccini Atlético Madrid loan DF Mohamed Sarr Galatasaray loan MF Marco Donadel Lecce loan MF Massimo Donati Parma loan MF Pablo García Osasuna loan FW Mohammed Aliyu Datti Siena loan FW Vitali Kutuzov Sporting CP loan FW Marco Simone Monaco loan ended
Autumn In Pos. Name from Type MF Leonardo free
Winter InPos. Name from Type DF Mohamed Sarr Galatasaray loan ended MF Massimo Donati Parma loan ended Out Pos. Name to Type DF Mohamed Sarr Ancona loan MF Massimo Donati Torino loan FW Marco Borriello Empoli loan
Spring Out Pos. Name To Type MF Leonardo retired
Reserve squad
Left club during season
Competitions
Overall
Serie A
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
Notes Note 1: Torino v Milan was abandoned with 27 minutes to go, after the crowd started to riot. The result was confirmed as 3–0 in favor of Milan by the FIGC. Torino was given a match suspension from playing at home until the end of season.
Coppa Italia
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
UEFA Champions League
Third qualifying round
Group stage
Second group stage
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Statistics Players statistics
References