2002–03 AFC Ajax season
| 2002–03 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Michael van Praag | |||
| Manager | Ronald Koeman | |||
| Stadium | Amsterdam Arena | |||
| Eredivisie | 2nd | |||
| KNVB Cup | Semi-finals | |||
| Champions League | Quarter-finals | |||
| Johan Cruyff Shield | Winners | |||
| Top goalscorer | Rafael van der Vaart (18) | |||
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During the 2002–03 Dutch Football season, AFC Ajax competed in the Eredivisie.
Season summary
Despite being the top scorers in the Eredivisie, Ajax were unable to defend their title and finished second. They also failed to retain the cup, but compensated by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners A.C. Milan.
First-team squad
- Squad at end of season[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
In
Out
Results
UEFA Champions League
First group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | INT | AJX | LYO | ROS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internazionale | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 11 | Advance to second group stage | — | 1–0 | 1–2 | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Ajax | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 8 | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | ||
| 3 | Lyon | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 8 | Transfer to UEFA Cup | 3–3 | 0–2 | — | 5–0 | |
| 4 | Rosenborg | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 4 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 1–1 | — |
Second group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | VAL | AJX | ARS | ROM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valencia | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–3 | |
| 2 | Ajax | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 8 | 1–1 | — | 0–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | Arsenal | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 | 0–0 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | ||
| 4 | Roma | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 5 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — |
| 27 November 2002 | Valencia | 1–1 | Ajax | Valencia, Spain |
| 20:45 | Angulo 90' | Report | Ibrahimović 89' | Stadium: Estadio Mestalla Attendance: 48,000 Referee: Gilles Veissière (France) |
| 10 December 2002 | Ajax | 2–1 | Roma | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 20:45 |
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Report | Batistuta 89' | Stadium: Amsterdam Arena Attendance: 50,148 Referee: Markus Merk (Germany) |
| 18 February 2003 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Ajax | London, England |
| 20:45 | Wiltord 5' | Report | De Jong 17' | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 35,427 Referee: Lucílio Batista (Portugal) |
| 26 February 2003 | Ajax | 0–0 | Arsenal | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Amsterdam Arena Attendance: 51,500 Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia) |
| 11 March 2003 | Ajax | 1–1 | Valencia | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 20:45 | Pasanen 56' | Report | González 28' (pen.) | Stadium: Amsterdam Arena Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia) |
| 19 March 2003 | Roma | 1–1 | Ajax | Rome, Italy |
| 20:45 | Cassano 23' | Report | Van der Meyde 1' | Stadium: Stadio Olimpico Attendance: 62,000 Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany) |