Blanco y Rojo
The 2002–03 season: A championship won under Manuel Pellegrini.
Club Atlético River Plate is a professional football club based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 2002–03 season was the club's 73rd season in the Argentine Primera División.
Quick Facts
- Identity type
- Club Colors & Crest
- Adoption year
- 1932
- Design feature
- White shirt with red diagonal sash
- Nickname origin
- La Banda Roja (The Red Band)
- Cultural symbolism
- Elegance
- Technical Mastery
- and History
Lore & Background
The 2002–03 season was split into two tournaments: Apertura 2002 (August to December 2002) and Clausura 2003 (February to June 2003). The club's kit was provided by Adidas, and the sponsor was Budweiser beer. On May 23, 2002, Manuel Pellegrini was presented as new manager. On July 22, midfielder Lucho González moved from Huracán to River Plate for US$700,000. On June 15, 2003, during Round 16 of Torneo Clausura 2003, River Plate defeated Lanús and became sole leaders. On June 29, during Round 18, River defeated Olimpo and won the championship with a 4-point lead over Boca Juniors with one round to go.
Reader's Guide
The season included the Apertura 2002 and Clausura 2003 tournaments, as well as the 2002 Copa Sudamericana and 2003 Copa Libertadores. The Copa Libertadores featured a group stage, round of 16, and quarter-finals. River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Velez Sarsfield were the teams that kept the championship lead for most of the Clausura 2003 tournament.
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