2001–02 F.C. Internazionale Milano season
Encyclopedia
F.C. Internazionale Milano
sustained its first proper title challenge since 1998
during the first season for new coach Héctor Cúper
, who arrived on the back of taking Valencia to two consecutive UEFA Champions League
finals. Inter finally had a reliable goalkeeper in Francesco Toldo, while Christian Vieri
had a season free of his persistent injuries that had plagued him during his first two seasons with the club. In 1999 Inter had paid a world record transfer fee for Vieri's services, and he started paying that off with 22 goals, and even Brazilian goalgetter Ronaldo
played a crucial role during the second half of the season, following three years on the sidelines. Also Javier Zanetti
, Iván Córdoba, Cristiano Zanetti
among others had decent seasons.
Following a 3-1 victory over Roma
, with six rounds left to go, Inter was favourite to reclaim the Serie A title it won in 1989, but due to a few less than successful games, its clear lead shrunk to just one point prior to the final game of the season, when it visited Lazio
on Stadio Olimpico
. Lazio came from a terrible season, but still had qualification for the UEFA Cup
to play for, and even though Inter led by both 1-0 and 2-1, Karel Poborský
equalised both times before the interval. In the second half, Inter collapsed completely, with Lazio eventually scoring twice, winning 4-2. That handed Juventus
the title, thanks to its victory at Udinese
, and also allowed reigning champions
Roma
through to take second. Therefore, Inter finished only third in the final table, just two points shy of Juventus.
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
sustained its first proper title challenge since 1998
Serie A 1997-98
Juventus won the title in controversial circumstances. In their match on Sunday, 26 April 1998, against eventual runners-up, Inter, Ronaldo was denied what appeared a clear penalty for Inter after being blocked by Mark Iuliano of Juventus. Had the penalty been awarded and then dispatched, the...
during the first season for new coach Héctor Cúper
Héctor Cúper
Héctor Raúl Cúper is an Argentinean former football defender and a current manager.-Coach:...
, who arrived on the back of taking Valencia to two consecutive UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
finals. Inter finally had a reliable goalkeeper in Francesco Toldo, while Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations...
had a season free of his persistent injuries that had plagued him during his first two seasons with the club. In 1999 Inter had paid a world record transfer fee for Vieri's services, and he started paying that off with 22 goals, and even Brazilian goalgetter Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
played a crucial role during the second half of the season, following three years on the sidelines. Also Javier Zanetti
Javier Zanetti
Javier Adelmar Zanetti is an Argentine footballer who plays for Serie A club Inter. Javier Zanetti has played for Inter since 1995, taking the captain's armband from 29 August 1999. Known for his versatility, he is adept on both the left and right wing, having played on both flanks as a fullback...
, Iván Córdoba, Cristiano Zanetti
Cristiano Zanetti
Cristiano Zanetti is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Brescia.-Early career:He played for Fiorentina , Venezia , Reggiana before joined Internazionale at age of 21....
among others had decent seasons.
Following a 3-1 victory over Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
, with six rounds left to go, Inter was favourite to reclaim the Serie A title it won in 1989, but due to a few less than successful games, its clear lead shrunk to just one point prior to the final game of the season, when it visited Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
on Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex on the north of the city. An asset of the Italian National Olympic Committee, the structure is intended primarily for football...
. Lazio came from a terrible season, but still had qualification for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
to play for, and even though Inter led by both 1-0 and 2-1, Karel Poborský
Karel Poborský
Karel Poborský is a former Czech footballer. A right winger, Poborský is the all-time leader in appearances for the Czech national team, and was most noted for his technical ability.-Club career:...
equalised both times before the interval. In the second half, Inter collapsed completely, with Lazio eventually scoring twice, winning 4-2. That handed Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
the title, thanks to its victory at Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
, and also allowed reigning champions
Serie A 2000-01
In the 2000-01 season, Serie A, the major football Italian professional league, was composed by 18 teams, for the 13th consecutive time from season 1988-89....
Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
through to take second. Therefore, Inter finished only third in the final table, just two points shy of Juventus.
Squad
Games
Top Scorers
| Player | League | UEFA Cup | Coppa Italia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Christian VieriChristian Vieri Christian Vieri is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations... |
22 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| 2 |  Mohammed Kallon |
9 | 6 | 0 | 15 |
| 3 | Nicola Ventola Nicola Ventola Nicola Ventola is an Italian footballer playing as a striker. He was a member of the Italian squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and represented Italy in the under-21s team.He plays for Novara.... |
4 | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| 4 |  RonaldoRonaldo Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 5 |  Álvaro RecobaÁlvaro Recoba Álvaro Alexander Recoba Rivero , nicknamed "El Chino", is a Uruguayan footballer currently playing for Primera División Uruguaya side Club Nacional de Football... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | Luigi Di Biagio Luigi Di Biagio Luigi Di Biagio , is an Italian former football defensive midfielder, who last played for Ascoli Calcio 1898 .Di Biagio was born in Rome. Prior to joining Ascoli, he played for Lazio , Monza , Foggia , Roma , Internazionale , and Brescia Calcio . He was capped 31 times for Italy, scoring two goals... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Clarence SeedorfClarence Seedorf Clarence Clyde Seedorf OON is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Milan. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| 8 |  Stéphane DalmatStéphane Dalmat Stéphane Dalmat is a French footballer who plays as a midfielder for French club Rennes. Dalmat is a very versatile player who can occupy a variety of positions on the midfield. His good ball control and dribbling ability has often seen managers use him wide on the left of midfield... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Cristiano Zanetti Cristiano Zanetti Cristiano Zanetti is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Brescia.-Early career:He played for Fiorentina , Venezia , Reggiana before joined Internazionale at age of 21.... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Marco Materazzi Marco Materazzi Marco Materazzi , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender, and is currently a free agent.At the beginning of his career, Materazzi played with various Italian teams in Serie B and Serie C, and with Premier League side Everton. He spent two periods with Perugia and signed for... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |