2002–03 Real Sociedad season

Real Sociedad

2002–03 season

Manager

2nd

Top goalscorer

Nihat Kahveci (23)

← 2001–02

2003–04 →

Season summary

In the 2002-2003 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 Villareal 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^[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Alberto
2	DF	Bjørn Tore Kvarme
3	DF	Agustín Aranzábal
4	MF	Xabi Alonso
5	DF	Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga
6	DF	Gabriel Schurrer
7	DF	Igor Jauregi
8	MF	Tayfun Korkut^[2]
9	FW	Darko Kovačević
10	MF	Javier de Pedro
11	MF	Mikel Aranburu
12	DF	José Antonio Pikabea
14	DF	Aitor López Rekarte

No.	Position	Player
15	FW	Nihat Kahveci
16	FW	Joseba Llorente
17	FW	Igor Gabilondo
19	MF	Dmitri Khokhlov
20	MF	José Barkero
21	FW	Óscar de Paula
23	DF	Sergio Boris
24	MF	Valery Karpin^[3]
25	GK	Sander Westerveld
28	MF	Mikel Alonso
29	GK	Mikel Saizar
37	GK	Pablo

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.		Position	Player
26		MF	Kristian Alberdi (on loan to Real Unión)

No.		Position	Player
27		MF	Gari Uranga (on loan to Eibar)

Player stats

Squad stats
Player	Games played	Full games	Games starting	Used as sub	Minutes	Injuries	Cards	Sent Off	Goals	Penalties
Alberto López Fernández	1	1	1	0	90	0	0	0	0	0
Agustín Aranzábal	32	31	32	0	2879	0	5	0	0	0
José Javier Barkero	11	0	5	6	574	0	1	0	0	0
Sergio Boris González	25	12	15	10	1412	0	1	0	0	0
Óscar de Paula	11	0	0	11	134	0	0	0	0	0
Javier de Pedro	29	7	26	3	2067	0	2	0	6	0
Igor Gabilondo	24	2	8	16	815	0	4	0	1	0
Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga	2	1	1	1	91	0	1	0	0	0
Igor Jauregi	36	32	36	0	3148	0	8	1	1	0
Valery Karpin	36	30	36	0	3186	0	5	0	8	0
Dmitri Khokhlov	18	2	5	13	606	0	1	0	2	0
Darko Kovačević	36	21	36	0	3033	1	6	1	20	2
Bjørn Tore Kvarme	20	18	18	2	1666	0	2	0	0	0
Joseba Llorente	2	0	0	2	19	0	0	0	1	0
Aitor López Rekarte	37	37	37	0	3330	0	8	0	0	0
Mikel Alonso	9	0	1	8	154	0	0	0	1	0
Mikel Aranburu	34	19	27	7	2482	0	7	0	2	0
Nihat Kahveci	35	20	35	0	3002	0	5	1	23	0
Gabriel Schürrer	23	21	23	0	2062	0	3	0	0	0
Tayfun Korkut	22	6	6	16	751	0	1	0	2	0
Sander Westerveld	37	37	37	0	3330	0	1	0	0	0
Xabi Alonso	33	23	33	0	2771	1	8	0	3	0

References

↑ http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/spain/2002-2003/laliga/sociedad.htm
↑ Korkut was born in Stuttgart, Germany.
↑ Karpin was born in Narva, Estonia.

Real Sociedad

History Players Managers Europe Statistics Honours

Teams	Real Sociedad Real Sociedad B Real Sociedad (women)

Home stadium	Ondarreta Atotxa Anoeta Zubieta Facilities (training)

Related articles	Club Ciclista de San Sebastián

Rivalries	Basque derby

2002–03 in Spanish football

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List of Summer transfers
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