Season summary During the 2002–03 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 Villarreal 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
Left club during season
Player stats Squad statsPlayer Games playedFull gamesGames startingUsed as subMinutesInjuries CardsSent Off Goals PenaltiesAlberto López Fernández11109000000Agustín Aranzábal3231320287905000José Javier Barkero1105657401000Sergio Boris González25121510141201000Óscar de Paula11001113400000Javier de Pedro297263206702060Igor Gabilondo24281681504010Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga21119101000Igor Jauregi3632360314808110Valery Karpin3630360318605080Dmitri Khokhlov18251360601020Darko Kovačević36213603033161202Bjørn Tore Kvarme2018182166602000Joseba Llorente20021900010Aitor López Rekarte3737370333008000Mikel Alonso901815400010Mikel Aranburu3419277248207020Nihat Kahveci35203503002051230Gabriel Schürrer2321230206203000Tayfun Korkut22661675101020Sander Westerveld3737370333001000Xabi Alonso3323330277118030
Competitions La Liga
League table
Matches
References