The 2001–02 season was Inter Milan's 93rd in existence and 86th consecutive season in the top flight of Italian football.
Season overview
After a disappointing previous season, Massimo Moratti appointed former Valencia coach Héctor Cúper as the new head coach.[1] Cúper managed to line-up a new team, buying players such as Toldo, Materazzi, Kallon and Ventola.[2] Inter had a sprint-start, topping the league and passing several challenges in Europe.[3][4][5][6] 2001 closed with Giuseppe Prisco's death, vice-chairman since 1962.[7]
In the second part of season, Inter showed signs of exhaustion: 1–2 home loss to Atalanta[8] was followed, on Thursday, by European elimination.[9] Before the last league game, against Lazio, Inter was still at the top, with one point over Juventus and two over Roma.[10] In the first half, Inter scored twice, but both goals were equalized by Lazio's Poborsky.[11] During second half of the match, Lazio - still in race for a UEFA Cup spot - scored another two goals, eventually winning the match.[11] Inter fell to third place,[11] enough to qualify for next season's Champions League playoff.[11] The Lazio-Inter game also marked Ronaldo's last appearance with Inter.[11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following players did not make an appearance for the first team.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Source: 2001–02 Serie A, Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Draw. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[14] (C) Champions
Note: Due to Goalkeeper Toldo was sent off at 87' and no substitutions for Inter remained, central midfielder Francisco Javier Farinos lined up as Goalkeeper until minute 95 of the match.
