2002–03 UEFA Champions League
The 2002–03 UEFA Champions League was the 11th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since its rebranding in 1992, and the 48th European Cup tournament overall. The competition was won by Milan, who beat Juventus on penalties in the European Cup's first ever all-Italian final, to win their sixth European title, and its first in nine years. Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy was again the top scorer, scoring 12 goals over the two group stages and knockout stage, in addition to two goals he had scored in the qualifying phase, although his side bowed out in the quarter-finals and missed out on the chance of playing in a final at their own stadium.
Old Trafford in Greater Manchester hosted the final. | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Qualifying: 17 July – 28 August 2002 Competition proper: 17 September 2002 – 28 May 2003 |
| Teams | Competition proper: 32 Total: 72 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Milan (6th title) |
| Runners-up | Juventus |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 157 |
| Goals scored | 428 (2.73 per match) |
| Attendance | 6,416,965 (40,872 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) 12 goals |
Real Madrid were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Juventus in the semi-finals.