Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:2002–03 S.L. Benfica season

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox football club season
|club               = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|season             = 2002–03
|chrtitle           = President
|chairman           = [[Manuel Vilarinho]]
|mgrtitle           = Head coach
|manager            = [[Jesualdo Ferreira]]<br /><small>(until 25 November 2002)</small><br />[[Fernando Chalana]]<br /><small>(caretaker for one match)</small><br />[[José Antonio Camacho]]
|stadium            = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]<br /><small>(until 22 March 2003)</small><br />[[Estádio Nacional]]
|league             = [[Primeira Liga]]
|league result      = [[2002–03 Primeira Liga|2nd]]
|cup1               = [[Taça de Portugal]]
|cup1 result        = [[2002–03 Taça de Portugal|Fourth round]]
|league topscorer   = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] (18)
|season topscorer   = Simão (18)
|highest attendance = 55,000 v [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]]<br /><small>(22 March 2003)</small>
|lowest attendance  = 10,000 v [[Moreirense F.C.|Moreirense]]<br /><small>(3 February 2003)</small>
|largest win        = {{nowrap|Benfica 7–0 [[Paços de Ferreira]]}}<br /><small>(10 November 2002)</small>
|largest loss       = 1 goal difference in 6 matches
|pattern_la1        = _whitelines
|pattern_b1         = _benfica0203H
|pattern_ra1        =_whitelines
|pattern_sh1        = _red_stripes_adidas
|pattern_so1        = _3 white stripes
|leftarm1           = FF0000
|body1              = FF0000
|rightarm1          = FF0000
|shorts1            = FFFFFF
|socks1             = FF0000
|pattern_la2        = _benfica0203a
|pattern_b2         = _benfica0203A
|pattern_ra2        = _benfica0203a
|pattern_sh2        = _benfica0203a
|pattern_so2        = _benfica0203al
|leftarm2           = 000000
|body2              = 000000
|rightarm2          = 000000
|shorts2            = 000000
|socks2             = 000000
|prevseason         = [[2001–02 S.L. Benfica season|2001–02]]
|nextseason         = [[2003–04 S.L. Benfica season|2003–04]]
}}
The 2002–03 season was [[S.L. Benfica|Sport Lisboa e Benfica]]'s [[List of S.L. Benfica seasons|99th season]] in existence and the club's [[Primeira Liga#All-time Primeira Liga table|69th consecutive season]] in the top flight of Portuguese football. During the season, which lasted from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, Benfica competed in the [[2002–03 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga]] and the [[2002–03 Taça de Portugal|Taça de Portugal]].

Going into a second year without [[UEFA competitions]], qualifying for Europe was one of the club's top priorities; to improve its competitiveness, Benfica signed some of the best domestic players, [[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]] and [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]], but also brought back former players, like [[Hélder Cristóvão|Hélder]] and [[Nuno Gomes]]. [[Jesualdo Ferreira]] remained as manager for his first full season on the club.

Benfica's season started with four consecutive victories, to lead the league. In late September, they experienced their first loss and went on a win-less spree that saw them drop to fifth. In November, Benfica won again, but the results remained erratic and after a 7–0 trashing of [[F.C. Paços de Ferreira|Paços de Ferreira]], they lost to [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]. A few days later, in the Portuguese Cup, a home loss against [[Gondomar S.C.|Gondomar]] cost Ferreira his job. [[Fernando Chalana]] replaced him for one match, before the appointment of [[José Antonio Camacho]].

With the Spaniard in charge, Benfica regained second place and slowly opened a gap over [[Sporting CP|Sporting]], eventually finishing with 75 points, qualifying for the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League]]. Despite this, Camacho was unable to close the distance to Porto, who finished 11 points ahead. The season was also the last that Benfica played in the [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|original Estádio da Luz]], before a [[Estádio da Luz|new version]] was built ahead of [[UEFA Euro 2004]]. Their final game was on 22 March 2003, with the remaining games being played in the  [[Estádio Nacional]] in [[Oeiras, Portugal|Oeiras]].

==Season summary==

===Pre-season===
[[File:Nuno_Gomes_(1388215345).jpg|thumb|[[Nuno Gomes]] returned to Benfica in July.]]
Although he only guided the team to fourth place in the previous campaign, [[Jesualdo Ferreira]] remained in charge of the team, with overwhelming support from inside the club, especially from former Director of Football Gaspar Ramos and former President Manuel Dámasio, who said he was "the best solution to lead Benfica".<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesualdo dá sinais claros que vai continuar na Luz|trans-title=Jesualdo gives out clear signs that he will remain in Da Luz|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/jesualdo-da-sinais-claros-que-vai-continuar-na-luz.html|work=Record|date=19 May 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Unanimidade|trans-title=Unanimity|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/unanimidade.html|work=Record|date=17 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> In the transfer season, [[Maniche]] and [[Robert Enke]] left the club as their contracts expired; the former joined Porto, the latter, [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref name="maniche" /><ref name="enke" /> [[Marco Caneira]] and [[Edgaras Jankauskas]] also left, as Benfica did not get their loan deals renewed; with Jankauskas immediately moving to Porto.<ref>{{cite news|title=Caneira assume saída iminente|trans-title=Caneira admits imminent exit|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/caneira-assume-saida-iminente.html|work=Record|date=18 May 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jankauskas: "FC Porto apresentou contrato muito claro"|trans-title=Jankauskas: "Porto presented a very clear contract"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/fc-porto/detalhe/jankauskas-fc-porto-apresentou-contrato-muito-claro.html|work=Record|date=2 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica replaced Jankauskas with [[Nuno Gomes]] on a free transfer after the collapse of [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesualdo Ferreira: "Há que resolver saídas de titulares"|trans-title=Jesualdo Ferreira: "He have to solve the exit of player from the starting eleven"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=127092|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210547/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=127092|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=15 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Gomes scored 76 goals in his first spell at Benfica; expectations were high, with crowds gathering to see him in training sessions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nuno Gomes estreia-se perante adeptos encarnados|trans-title=Nuno Gomes débuts in front of fans|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/nuno-gomes-estreia-se-perante-adeptos-encarnados.html|work=Record|date=17 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He joined a depleted attack, which only had the new signing from Porto [[Miklós Fehér]] as option, as both [[Mantorras]] and [[Tomo Šokota]] were injured.<ref name="feher" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Panorama clínico condiciona planeamento da nova época|trans-title=Clinical panorama complicates new season|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/panorama-clinico-condiciona-planeamento-da-nova-epoca.html|access-date=14 April 2016|work=Record|date=10 June 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The back four was also strengthened, with Benfica bringing back [[Hélder Cristóvão|Hélder]] after six seasons abroad and adding [[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]], a young defender from Braga.<ref>{{cite news|title=A hipótese Hélder|trans-title=The Hélder hypothesis|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/a-hipotese-helder.html|access-date=24 July 2015|work=Record|date=21 August 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

The pre-season began on 9 July with a week of training before the club travelled to Switzerland on the 13th, where they played their first two games of the pre-season, against [[Étoile Carouge FC|Étoile Carouge]] and [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]].<ref>{{cite news|title=E o sonho começou...|trans-title=And the dream has begun|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/e-o-sonho-comecou.html|work=Record|date=9 July 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica já trabalha na Suíça|trans-title=Benfica is already in Switzerland|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/benfica-ja-trabalha-na-suica.html|work=Record|date=13 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> After a game in [[Palermo]] with [[Inter Milan]] on 21 July, Benfica returned to Portugal the next day, meeting up with [[Sporting CP|Sporting]] in the Superbola Trophy on the 28th.<ref>{{cite news|title=Inter-Benfica, 0-0: Fica a promessa|trans-title=Inter-Benfica, 0–0: The promise remains|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/inter-benfica-0-0-fica-a-promessa.html|work=Record|date=22 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sporting-Benfica: Rivalidade para ver no estádio|trans-title=Sporting-Benfica: Rivalry to see in the stadium|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/sporting-benfica-rivalidade-para-ver-no-estadio.html|work=Record|date=26 July 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref> With three more matches in early August, including one in the [[Guadiana Trophy]], Benfica closed its season preparation with a match against European champions [[Real Madrid]] on 17 August, a week before the first official game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Real Madrid, 2-3 (Zahovic 6{{''}}, Argel 45{{''}}; Figo 11{{''}}, Miñambres 61{{''}}, Portillo 80{{''}})|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/benfica-real-madrid-2-3-zahovic-6-argel-45-figo-11-miambres-61-portillo-80.html|work=Record|date=17 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

===August–October===
Benfica started the [[2002–03 Primeira Liga]] campaign at home against [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]], scoring twice in the first half, leading to a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Marítimo, 3-0: Meia hora de nível afoga madeirenses|trans-title=Benfica-Marítimo: Half hour of good display drowns the Madeira side|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=134183|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415214034/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=134183|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=25 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The following Saturday, they played Beira-Mar away and won 2–0 after an early lead; according to Manuel Queiroz of ''Record'', despite "dominating in the first half, [Benfica] suffered to retain the lead in the second, with the two nil only arriving right near the end".<ref>{{cite news|title=Beira Mar-Benfica, 0-2: Entrar em grande mas oscilar muito|trans-title=Beira-Mar-Benfica, 0–2: Enter in style but ending up swinging too much|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=134869|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415213514/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=134869|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=1 September 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The club ended the month sharing first place with two other teams, but with a higher goal average than them.

The team began September with a 3–2 away win against [[Moreirense F.C.|Moreirense]]; Fehér had a decisive influence, earning a penalty and scoring the winner in the 78th minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Moreirense-Benfica, 2-3: Os pés de Simão e a mão de Ferreira|trans-title=Moreirense-Benfica, 2–3: The feet of Simão and the hand of Ferreira|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=136255|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210922/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=136255|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=15 September 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica won their fourth consecutive game on 21 September, with a 3–1 win at home against [[U.D. Leiria|União de Leiria]].<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref> In the second half, [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] scored his fourth and fifth league goals, unlocking the game that was tied 1–1 at half-time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-U. Leiria, 3-1: Um cheirinho ao futebol dos bons velhos tempos|trans-title=Benfica-U.Leiria, 3–1: A smell of good old times|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=136913|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210246/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=136913|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=22 September 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> They ended September with a visit to [[Estádio da Madeira]] to play Nacional.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref> The game ended with a 0–1 loss; according to José Ribeiro writing for ''Record'', "after two warnings in the previous two games, the inevitable happened. With known defensive weaknesses, Benfica was winning because of their players intelligence ([[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] and Petit) and talent (Simão). Only yesterday, none of that worked, given that Peseiro read the game very well and found Benfica's problems&nbsp;...&nbsp;".<ref>{{cite news|title=Nacional-Benfica, 1-0: Benfica sem cérebro e com ''motor gripado''|trans-title=Nacional-Benfica, 1–0: Benfica without brain and with a "seized engine"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=137640|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415214038/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=137640|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=29 September 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

Benfica hosted [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória Setúbal]] on 5 October, dropping two points in a 1–1 draw, due to a "childish error, or better yet, a lack of sharpness of the back-four", in the words of Ricardo Tavares from ''Record''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-V. Setúbal, 1-1: Defesa encarnada fica desfocada no retrato|trans-title=Benfica-V.Setúbal, 1–1: Benfica's defence looking bad in the portrait|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=138292|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204052/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=138292|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=6 October 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On 20 October, Benfica met [[FC Porto|Porto]] in [[Estádio das Antas]] for the [[O Clássico|''Clássico'']].<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref> It was an intense match, with 3 ejections and 73 fouls. Porto won 2–1 because to António Tadeira, they "reacted better to playing outnumbered, while Benfica lost their focus when Paulo Costa sent off [[Éder Bonfim|Éder]] and then [[Miguel Monteiro|Miguel]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=FC Porto-Benfica, 2-1: O trunfo da maturidade e um Benfica a perdoar|trans-title=FC Porto-Benfica, 2–1: The triumph of maturity and a forgiving Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=139713|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204745/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=139713|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=21 October 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Six days later, for the final game of the month, Benfica played [[Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F.|Académica]] at home.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref> The final score of 1–1 was the best possible, because Académica scored the first goal in the 86th minute, giving Benfica only a few minutes to level the game, which [[Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha|Carlitos]] did in the 90th minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Académica, 1-1: Várias formas de jogar ao salve-se quem puder|trans-title=Benfica-Académica, 1–1: Several ways to play the "save yourself" game|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=140335|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415205634/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=140335|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=27 October 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica ended the month in fifth place, having won only two of nine possible points.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref>

===November–February===
At the beginning of November, Benfica headed to the [[Azores]] to play Santa Clara.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 596">Tovar, Rui. p. 596</ref> They won 2–1 due to a double from Simão.<ref>{{cite news|title=S. Clara-Benfica, 1-2: Foi preciso Simão tirar dois coelhos da cartola |trans-title=S. Clara-Benfica, 1–2: Simão pulled two rabbits out of the hat |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=141215 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415205228/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=141215 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=4 November 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> A week later, the team played [[F.C. Paços de Ferreira|Paços de Ferreira]] in the Estádio da Luz.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 597">Tovar, Rui. p. 597</ref> The game ended with a 7–0 win for Benfica; Antonio Tadeia writing for ''Record'' said the win "showed that Benfica it is alive and well in the league, even without two internationals, Simão and Petit".<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-P. Ferreira, 7-0: Festim de golos prova que há vida após Simão |trans-title=Benfica-P.Ferreira, 7–0: Party of goals show that is life without Simão |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=141888 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415213045/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=141888 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=11 November 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 November, Benfica played [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]] away, resulting in a 1–2 loss; Rui Dias wrote for ''Record'' that, Varzim "adjusted better to the windstorm night and to the soaking wet field&nbsp;...&nbsp;taking the initiative in the search for the three points".<ref>{{cite news|title=Varzim-Benfica, 2-1: Relâmpagos de futebol no vendaval da Póvoa |trans-title=Varzim-Benfica, 2–1: Lightnings of football in a stormy night in Póvoa |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=142560 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204646/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=142560 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=17 November 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Jose Antonio Camacho.jpg|thumb|upright|[[José Antonio Camacho]] took over as manager in November.]]
On 24 November, Benfica started the [[2002–03 Taça de Portugal]] by playing [[Gondomar S.C.|Gondomar]] at home for the fourth round.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 600">Tovar, Rui. p. 600</ref> A 10th-minute goal from [[Cílio André Souza|Cilio]] knocked Benfica out of the competition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Gondomar, 0-1: Nem árbitro nem relvado, faltou foi brio e vontade |trans-title=Benfica-Gondomar, 0–1: Not referee, not field, what lacked was will and sharpness |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/taca_portugal/interior.aspx?content_id=143343 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211810/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/taca_portugal/interior.aspx?content_id=143343 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=25 November 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tinoco de Faria, the club vice-president, called the defeat "unacceptable";<ref>{{cite news|title=Tinoco de Faria: "Inaceitável para clube como o Benfica"|trans-title=Tonoco de Faria: "unacceptable for a club like Benfica"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/tinoco-de-faria-inaceitavel-para-clube-como-o-benfica.html|work=Record|date=27 November 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Jesualdo Ferreira was relieved of his duties the day after.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica anuncia saída de Jesualdo do cargo de treinador principal |trans-title=Benfica announces Jesualdo was relieve of duties |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=143424 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204502/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=143424 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=25 November 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Benfica appointed [[Fernando Chalana]] as caretaker until they could agree terms with [[José Antonio Camacho]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Empresário de Camacho está confiante num acordo com Benfica|trans-title=Representative of Camacho is confident of an agreement with Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/empresario-de-camacho-esta-confiante-num-acordo-com-benfica.html|work=Record|date=28 November 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On the day Camacho arrived to sign with Benfica, Chalana led the team against [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] at home.<ref>{{cite news|title=Camacho: "Vou para ter sucesso" |trans-title=Camacho: "I will have success" |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=143897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210140/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=143897 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=30 November 2002 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> He moved Miguel to right-back and started Hélder instead of [[João Manuel Pinto Tomé|João Manuel Pinto]]; Benfica defeated the visitors by 3–0.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Sp. Braga, 3-0: O treinador na bancada e toda a gente a correr |trans-title=Benfica-Sp. Braga, 3–0: the manager in the stands and everybody running |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=143954 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211704/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=143954 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=1 December 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the opening match of December, Benfica played [[Gil Vicente F.C.|Gil Vicente]] at home after rescheduling the game from 29 November to 4 December, because of an imminent players strike during the holidays.<ref>{{cite news|title=Internacionais recuperam na Luz|trans-title=Internationals recover in Da Luz|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/internacionais-recuperam-na-luz.html|work=Record|date=22 November 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Braço-de-ferro iminente entre Liga de clubes e jogadores|trans-title=Imminent arm wrestling between league and players|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/detalhe/braco-de-ferro-iminente-entre-liga-de-clubes-e-jogadores.html|access-date=14 April 2016|work=Record|date=27 November 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref> They won that match 3–1 with two first-half goals; António Varela wrote that the unpredictability of Simão "unbalanced the opponent and the game"; Benfica climbed to second place before a match against Sporting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Gil Vicente, 3-1: Vitória injecta ''ganas'' mas não desfaz dúvidas |trans-title=Benfica-Gil Vicente, 3–1: Win injects "ganas" but did not destroyed doubts |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=144390 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204844/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=144390 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=5 December 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 December, Benfica played their last game in the 46-year-old [[Estádio José Alvalade (1956)|Estádio de Alvalade]] against city rivals [[Sporting C.P.|Sporting]] in the [[Derby de Lisboa]].<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 597">Tovar, Rui. p. 597</ref> The game ended with a 2–0 win for Benfica, who controlled the game from the beginning; as José Manuel Delgado wrote, "&nbsp;...&nbsp;the advantage of the visitors starting in the clear superiority of [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] and [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]] in the direct contend with [[Paulo Bento]] and [[Rui Bento]], while Zahovic descended to guide the team&nbsp;...&nbsp;".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sporting-Benfica, 0-2: Benfica vestido de gala no seu adeus a Alvalade |trans-title=Sporting-Benfica, 0–2: Benfica dress in suit in the goodbye to Alvalade |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=144716 |work=Record |date=8 December 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415214346/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=144716 |archive-date=15 April 2015 }}</ref> A week later, the team played [[C.F. Belenenses|Belenenses]] at home.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 597">Tovar, Rui. p. 597</ref> Simão scored the sole goal of the game in the 55th minute, helping Camacho to a third consecutive win.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Belenenses, 1-0: Uma vitória com Paixão do Benfica "à Jesualdo" |trans-title=Benfica-Belenenses, 1–0: A win with passion, "Jesualdo way". |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=145452 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210035/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=145452 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=15 December 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the last game of the month, Benfica played [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]] away, drawing 0–0; José Manuel Delgado at ''Record'' criticized the players of both teams for "showing little inspiration and inability to break away from the tight tactical requirements of the game".<ref>{{cite news|title=Boavista-Benfica, 0-0: Gota de futebol num oceano de faltas |trans-title=Boavista-Benfica, 0–0: A drop of football in a sea of fouls |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=146232 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415210318/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=146232 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=22 December 2002 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Early in January 2003, Benfica announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder [[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]], on a loan deal from [[F.C. Barcelona|Barcelona]] until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Geovanni na Luz até final da temporada|trans-title=Geovanni in Da Luz until the end of the season|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/geovanni-na-luz-ate-final-da-temporada.html|work=Record|date=7 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On 11 January, the team played [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória Guimarães]] away.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 597">Tovar, Rui. p. 597</ref> The 1–1 draw after 90 minutes was a consequence of the constant interruptions for a large number of fouls signalled by the referee.<ref>{{cite news|title=V. Guimarães-Benfica, 1-1: Árbitro pouco valente em jogo de barba rija |trans-title=V. Guimarães-Benfica, 1–1: Referee without nerves to rough game |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=148039 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415205016/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=148039 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=12 January 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the stands, the problematic behaviour of the Benfica supporters group [[No Name Boys]] caused the [[Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional|governing body of the Portuguese league]] to punish both clubs by closing their stadiums for one game each.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica corta relações com o V. Guimarães|trans-title=Benfica cuts relations with V. Guimarães|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/v--guimaraes/detalhe/benfica-corta-relacoes-com-o-v-guimaraes.html|work=Record|date=13 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Luz e Felgueiras interditados por um jogo|trans-title=Luz and Felgueiras closed for one game|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/v--guimaraes/detalhe/luz-e-felgueiras-interditados-por-um-jogo.html|work=Record|date=14 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On the following Sunday, Benfica visited the [[Estádio dos Barreiros]] for a game against Marítimo, which Benfica won 2–1 after an individual effort from Nuno Gomes in the 74th minute.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> It was the first win there since [[1994–95 S.L. Benfica season|1994–95]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Marítimo-Benfica, 1-2: Foi o "Benficamacho" que "matou o borrego" |trans-title=Marítimo-Benfica, 1–2: It was a "Benficamacho" who killed the string of bad results |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=148787 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415214520/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=148787 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=19 January 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> After selecting the Estádio Municipal Dr. Alves Vieira in [[Torres Novas]] to replace Estádio da Luz,<ref>{{cite news|title=Torres Novas confirmada como alternativa à Luz|trans-title=Torres Novas confirmed as alternative to Da Luz|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/torres-novas-confirmada-como-alternativa-a-luz.html|work=Record|date=16 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica hosted [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira-Mar]] on 26 January, winning 1–0 with a goal from Geovanni.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Beira-Mar, 1–0: Camacho leu bem o jogo e ainda salvou os pontos |trans-title=Benfica-Beira-Mar, 1–0: Camacho read the game well and saved the points |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=149692 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204749/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=149692 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=27 January 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three days later, the team played the second friendly of the month after a 1–1 draw against [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] a week before. During the game, intended to bring people to Da Luz, Benfica lost 0–1 to Barcelona.<ref>{{cite news|title=Particulares com Ajax e Barcelona|trans-title=Friendlies with Ajax and Barcelona|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/particulares-com-ajax-e-barcelona.html|work=Record|date=15 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

On 1 February, Benfica played Moreirense at home, drawing 1–1; Rui Dias wrote that the team's overconfidence was the main reason for the draw because they were "unsettled by the lack of space&nbsp;...&nbsp;they allowed the clock to run, certain a goal would arrive, soon or later".<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Moreirense, 1-1: Um corpo desarticulado na folga da inspiração |trans-title=Benfica-Moreirense, 1–1: A disconnected body in the day off inspiration |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=150558 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220355/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=150558 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=4 February 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 8 February, Benfica visited the [[Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande]] to play União de Leiria.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> The final score, 3–0 to Benfica, was the biggest in the Camacho era; António Tadeia, writing for ''Record'', complimented the team for the "more pleasing performance, after the very poor display against Moreirense".<ref>{{cite news|title=U. Leiria-Benfica, 0-3: Meio jogo com alegria e meio a viver dos juros |trans-title=U. Leiria-Benfica, 0–3: Half a game of joy, and half leaving of interest |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=151059 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221755/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=151059 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=9 February 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> The following Sunday, Benfica played [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]] at home.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> According to Rui Dias' match analysis in ''Record'', the team strong first half "&nbsp;..&nbsp;left the feeling that two goals were not enough in such a display of power&nbsp;...&nbsp;", allowing them to manage the game in the second half, ensuring a 2–0 win and reducing the distance to Porto to 10 points.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Nacional, 2-0: A noite da reconciliação durou até ao intervalo |trans-title=Benfica-Nacional, 2–0: The night of reconciliation lasted until the break |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=151921 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221725/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=151921 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=17 February 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Benfica won their third consecutive match on 22 February; a 6–2 away win against Vitória Setúbal.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> The opponents took an early lead in the 18th minute when [[Pascal Kondaponi|Pascal]] scored a goal, and doubled their advantage five minutes later; however, in a strong second half, Benfica overturned the game. Simão scored a [[hat-trick]], aided by Tiago and Tomo Šokota, who also scored goals.<ref>{{cite news|title=V. Setúbal-Benfica, 2-6: Uma 2ª parte demolidora só podia ter um bom fim |trans-title=V. Setúbal-Benfica: A demolish second half, could only have a good end |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=152569 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224544/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=152569 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |work=Record |date=23 February 2003 |access-date=2 September 2015 |language=Portuguese |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===March–June===
On 4 March, Benfica played Porto on the last ''Clássico'' to be held at the Estádio da Luz.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> Porto won 1–0 through [[Deco]]'s goal, in a match that Manuel Queiroz at ''Record'' defined as "&nbsp;...&nbsp;ending the last doubts of who is the future champion and who is the best team in the league, defeating Camacho's Benfica for the first time&nbsp;...&nbsp;"<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-FC Porto, 0-1: FC Porto foi à Luz tirar as últimas dúvidas|trans-title=Benfica-FC Porto, 0–1: FC Porto went to Da Luz to take the last doubts|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=153564|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224002/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=153564|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=5 March 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica rebounded with an away win against Académica on 15 March, beating them 4–1 in the [[Estádio Municipal José Bento Pessoa|Municipal José Bento Pessoa]] in [[Figueira da Foz]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Académica-Benfica, 1-4: O passeio até à Figueira de uma equipa de direita|trans-title=Académica-Benfica, 1–4: The trip to Figueira from a right-sided team|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=154722|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223911/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=154722|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=16 March 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> A week later, Benfica had its last game on the old Estádio da Luz before the 49-year-old stadium's demolition, playing against [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]].<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="Monumental Adeus" permite receita recorde|trans-title="Monumental goodbye" allows record turnover|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=155067|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108090655/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=155067|archive-date=2014-01-08|work=Record.pt|language=Portuguese|access-date=2 September 2015|date=20 March 2003}}</ref> The match ended in a 1–0 win for Benfica, but António Tadeia described the performance as "colourless".<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-S. Clara, 1-0: A ''catedral'' merecia adeus mais inspirado|trans-title=Benfica-S. Clara, 1–0: The ''Cathedral'' deserved a better goodbye|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=155296|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221244/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=155296|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=23 March 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

On 5 April, April Benfica played at [[Estádio da Mata Real]] against Paços de Ferreira.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 598">Tovar, Rui. p. 598</ref> With three goals in the first half-hour, Benfica secured the lead until the end to gain three points in a 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite news|title=P. Ferreira-Benfica, 1-3: Nuno Golos decidiu enquanto houve jogo|trans-title=P.Ferreira-Benfica, 1–3: Nuno Golos decided when there was still game|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=156610|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220753/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=156610|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=6 April 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> With the league on international break, Benfica played two friendlies abroad; one against Luxembourg's [[F91 Dudelange]] and another against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Camacho: "Defender prestígio"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/camacho-defender-prestigio.html|work=Record|date=12 April 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> They resumed their league campaign on 21 April, hosting home games at the [[Estádio Nacional]] in [[Oeiras, Portugal|Oeiras]] where they met Varzim.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 599">Tovar, Rui. p. 599</ref> Benfica won 2–1; and according to António Magalhães writing for ''Record'', they "wasted a excessive number of opportunities to score".<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Varzim, 2-1: A noite em que a águia sofreu de vertigens|trans-title=Benfica-Varzim, 2–1: The night in which the eagle suffered from vertigo|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=158268|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220759/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=158268|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=22 April 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On the following Saturday, Benfica played away to Braga at the [[Estádio Primeiro de Maio]].<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 599">Tovar, Rui. p. 599</ref> By winning 3–1, they opened an 11-point gap above third-place Sporting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sp. Braga-Benfica, 1-3: Cenário de facilidades com um final explosivo|trans-title=Sp. Braga-Benfica, 1–3: Scenery of easiness with an explosive ending|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=158802|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223850/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=158802|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=27 April 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> {{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="Even with adversities on the bench, Benfica attained the great objective of the season; the return to European competitions through the big door – the UEFA Champions League. Against a superior Porto, and with the bizarre elimination at home in the Taça de Portugal, Benfica soon focus on the battle for the second place against Sporting. With three match days to go, the established goal is secured..."|source=— Rui Miguel Tovar on the season events<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 595">Tovar, Rui. p. 595</ref>}}

On 3 May, Benfica met Sporting for the second [[Derby de Lisboa]] of the season.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 599">Tovar, Rui. p. 599</ref> In the words of António Tadeia, the visitors took on an approach of "ignoring the midfield&nbsp;...&nbsp;and abusing of the [[long ball]]", inflicting a 1–2 loss upon Benfica.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Sporting, 1-2: Comandos de Bölöni estragam festa à águia|trans-title=Benfica-Sporting, 1–2: Bölöni orders ruin party to Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=159547|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415215221/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=159547|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=4 May 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> A week later, Benfica defeated Belenenses in [[Estádio do Restelo|Restelo]], securing the second place in the league with a 4–2 victory and the associated berth to the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds|third qualifying round]] of the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Belenenses-Benfica, 2-4: Uma vitória tranquila ao ritmo das emoções|trans-title=Belenenses-Benfica, 2–4: An easy win on the rhythm of emotions|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=160383|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223919/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=160383|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=11 May 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On 18 May, Benfica played Boavista at home.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 599">Tovar, Rui. p. 599</ref> Camacho changed several players of the starting eleven, but the match ended in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-Boavista, 1-1: Estão à vista de todos as razões para o tabu|trans-title=Benfica-Boavista, 1–1: It is in plain view the reasons of the tabu|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=161244|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223845/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=161244|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=19 May 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica closed the month with a 2–0 away win against [[Estádio Adelino Ribeiro Novo|Adelino Ribeiro Novo]]; Rui Dias wrote that Benfica showed "professionalism, despite having nothing to fight for".<ref>{{cite news|title=Gil Vicente-Benfica, 0-2: Satisfações à família em hora de despedida|trans-title=Gil Vicente-Benfica, 0–2: Satisfactions to the family in the hour of goodbyes|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=162023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220802/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=162023|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=26 May 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

Benfica played their last game of the season on 1 June at home against Vitória Guimarães,<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 599">Tovar, Rui. p. 599</ref> winning 4–0; Féher scored a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica-V. Guimarães, 4-0: Toda a fé de Simão nas botas de Fehér|trans-title=Benfica-V. Guimarães, 4–0: Every faith of Simão in the boots of Fehér|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=162747|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221602/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/interior.aspx?content_id=162747|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=2 June 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Benfica finished in second place after the 34-game season with 23 wins, six draws and five losses for a total of 75 points. They scored 74 goals, the most in the league, and conceded 27, the second-lowest league-wide. Simão was the joint highest scorer in the [[Primeira Liga]], with 18 goals, equal to Beira-Mar's [[Faye Fary]]; the latter took the [[Bola de Prata (Portugal)|Bola de Prata]] award due to having played fewer games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Simão: "Morri na praia"|trans-title=Simão: "I died on the beach"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/simao-morri-na-praia.html|work=Record|date=2 June 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

==Competitions==

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#CCCCCC|Postponed|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

===Overall record===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"| Competition
!rowspan="2"| First match
!rowspan="2"| Last match
!colspan="9"| Record
|-
!G
!W
!D
!L
!GF
!GA
!GD
!Win %
!Source 
|-
| align=left| [[2002–03 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga]]
| align=left| 24 August 2002
| align=left| 1 June 2003
{{WDL|34|23|6|5|for=74|against=27|diff=yes}}
| align=left| <ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 601">Tovar, Rui. p. 601</ref>
|-
| align=left| [[2002–03 Taça de Portugal|Taça de Portugal]]
| align=left| 24 November 2002
| align=left| 24 November 2002
{{WDL|1|0|0|1|for=0|against=1|diff=yes}}
| align=left| <ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 601">Tovar, Rui. p. 601</ref>
|-
! colspan="3"| Total
{{WDLtot|35|23|6|6|for=74|against=28|diff=yes}}
|}

===Primeira Liga===
{{main|2002–03 Primeira Liga}}

====League table====
{{:2002–03 Primeira Liga|showteam=BEN}}

====Results by round====
{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Round

|label1= Ground
| res1=[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio Mário Duarte|A]]/[[Estádio 1º de Maio|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio da Madeira|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio das Antas|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio de São Miguel (Ponta Delgada)|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio do Varzim Sport Club|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio José Alvalade|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio do Bessa|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio Dr. Machado de Matos|A]]/[[Estádio dos Barreiros|A]]/[[Estádio Municipal Dr. Alves Vieira|H]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio do Bonfim|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio Municipal José Bento Pessoa|A]]/[[Estádio da Luz (1954)|H]]/[[Estádio da Mata Real|A]]/[[Estádio Nacional|H]]/[[Estádio 1º de Maio|A]]/[[Estádio Nacional|H]]/[[Estádio do Restelo|A]]/[[Estádio Nacional|H]]/[[Estádio Adelino Ribeiro Novo|A]]/[[Estádio Nacional|H]]
|label2= Result
| res2=W/W/W/W/L/D/L/D/W/W/L/W/W/W/D/W/D/W/W/D/W/W/W/L/W/W/W/W/W/L/W/D/W/W
|label3= Position
| res3=1/1/1/1/2/2/3/5/3/2/3/3/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2
<!-- -->
|text_H=Home|text_A=Away
|color_W=green2|text_W=Win
|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw
|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss
|color_1=1st|color_2=2nd|color_3=3rd|color_18-=red1

|source=[https://www.foradejogo.net/team.php?team=2&ano=2003&escalao=0&mode=M FootballPortugal]
}}

====Matches====
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 1
|date       = 24 August 2002
|time       = 21:15
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 3–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010108
|team2      = [[C.S. Maritimo|Maritimo]]
|goals1     = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|35}}<br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|43}} <br />[[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|80|pen.}}
|goals2     = [[Ezequias]] {{sentoff|22|79}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = António Costa
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 2
|date       = 31 August 2002
|time       = 21:15
|team1      = [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira Mar]]
|score      = 0–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010209
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = 
|goals2     = [[Argélico Fucks|Argel]] {{goal|8}} <br />[[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|92|pen.}}
|location   = [[Aveiro, Portugal|Aveiro]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Mário Duarte]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Paulo Costa
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 3
|date       = 14 September 2002
|time       = 18:00
|team1      = [[Moreirense F.C.|Moreirense]]
|score      = 2–3
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010309
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Demétrius Montanini|Demétrius]] {{goal|16}} <br /> [[Armando Silva]] {{goal|42}} <br /> [[João Duarte Silva|João Duarte]] {{sentoff|2|45|66}}
|goals2     = [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|3}} <br /> [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|67|pen.}} <br /> [[Miklós Fehér|Fehér]] {{goal|78}} 
|location   = [[Braga]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio 1º de Maio]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = João Ferreira
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 4
|date       = 21 September 2002
|time       = 21:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 3–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010409
|team2      = [[U.D. Leiria|União Leiria]]
|goals1     = [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|23}} <br /> [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|55|pen.|88}}
|goals2     = [[Márcio Mixirica]] {{goal|41}} <br /> [[Renato Jorge|Renato]] {{sentoff|2|27|51}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Isidoro Rodrigues
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 5
|date       = 28 September 2002
|time       = 21:00
|team1      = [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]]
|score      = 1–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010508
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Sérgio Eduardo Ferreira da Cunha|Serginho]] {{goal|62}}
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Funchal]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Madeira]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = [[Olegário Benquerença]]
|result     = L
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 6
|date       = 5 October 2002
|time       = 21:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010608
|team2      = [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória Setúbal]]
|goals1     = [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]]  {{goal|71}}
|goals2     = [[Jorge Luiz Sousa|Jorginho]]  {{goal|85}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 35,500
|referee    = Paulo Baptista
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 7
|date       = 20 October 2002
|time       = 21:15
|team1      = [[FC Porto|Porto]]
|score      = 2–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010707
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Éder Bonfim]] {{goal|20|o.g.}} <br /> [[Jorge Costa (footballer)|Jorge Costa]] {{sentoff|2|25|39}} <br /> [[Deco]] {{goal|71}} 
|goals2     = [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|4}} <br /> [[Éder Bonfim]] {{sentoff|2|60|71}} <br /> [[Miguel Monteiro|Miguel]] {{sentoff|2|74|75}}
|location   = [[Porto]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio das Antas]]
|attendance = 47,000
|referee    = Paulo Costa
|result     = L
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 8
|date       = 26 October 2002
|time       = 18:00 
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010807
|team2      = [[Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F.|Académica]]
|goals1     = [[Miklós Fehér|Fehér]] {{sentoff|0|89}} <br /> [[Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha|Carlitos]] {{goal|90}}
|goals2     = [[Idálio Alexandre Ferreira|Xano]] {{goal|86}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Paulo Pereira
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 9
|date       = 3 November 2002
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]]
|score      = 1–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400010906
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[João Pedro Fernandes|João Pedro]] {{goal|14}}
|goals2     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|42||71}}
|location   = [[Ponta Delgada]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio de São Miguel (Ponta Delgada)|Estádio de São Miguel]]
|attendance = 14,000
|referee    = Jacinto Paixão
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 10
|date       = 10 November 2002
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 7–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011006
|team2      = [[F.C. Paços de Ferreira|Paços de Ferreira]]
|goals1     = [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|18||42}} <br /> [[Roger Galera Flores|Roger]] {{goal|30}} <br /> [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|60}} <br /> [[João Manuel Pinto Tomé|João Manuel Pinto]] {{goal|70}}<br />[[Mantorras]] {{goal|77||90+5}}
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 40,000
|referee    = Martins dos Santos
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 11
|date       = 16 November 2002
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|score      = 2–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011105
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Gilmar Lobato da Rocha|Gilmar]] {{goal|37}} <br /> [[Quim Berto]] {{goal|57|pen.}}
|goals2     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|39|pen.}} {{sentoff|2|13|59}}
|location   = [[Póvoa de Varzim]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio do Varzim Sport Club]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = [[Lucílio Baptista]]
|result     = L
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 12
|date       = 30 November 2002
|time       = 17:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 3–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011205
|team2      = [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]
|goals1     = [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|18}} <br /> [[Mantorras]] {{goal|40}} <br /> [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|78}}
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Paulo Baptista
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 16
|date       = 4 December 2002
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 3–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011603
|team2      = [[Gil Vicente F.C.|Gil Vicente]]
|goals1     = [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|20}} <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|34}}<br /> [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]]{{goal|89}}
|goals2     = [[Emmanuel Duah|Duah]] {{goal|11}} <br /> [[Rui Guerreiro]] {{sentoff|2|16|33}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Elmano Santos
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 13
|date       = 7 December 2002
|time       = 21:30
|team1      = [[Sporting C.P.|Sporting]]
|score      = 0–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011304
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Ricardo Quaresma|Quaresma]] {{sentoff|0|63}}
|goals2     = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|15}} <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|42}} <br /> [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]] {{sentoff|2|55|63}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio de Alvalade]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Paulo Paraty
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 14
|date       = 14 December 2002
|time       = 19:30
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011404
|team2      = [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Belenenses]]
|goals1     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|55|pen.}}
|goals2     = [[Ludemar]] {{sentoff|2|27|36}} <br /> [[Marco Paulo Faria Lemos|Marco Paulo]] {{sentoff|2|53|55}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = [[Bruno Paixão]]
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 15
|date       = 21 December 2002
|time       = 20:45
|team1      = [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]]
|score      = 0–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011503
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = 
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Porto]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio do Bessa]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = António Costa
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 17
|date       = 11 January 2003
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória Guimarães]]
|score      = 1–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011702
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Adriano Bessa]] {{goal|49}} 
|goals2     = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|59}} 
|location   = [[Felgueiras, Portugal|Felgueiras]]
|stadium    = Dr. Machado de Matos
|attendance = 7,000
|referee    = João Ferreira
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 18
|date       = 18 January 2003
|time       = 21:15
|team1      = [[C.S. Maritimo|Maritimo]]
|score      = 1–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011808
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Mitchell van der Gaag|Van der Gaag]] {{goal|59}} 
|goals2     = [[Hélder Cristóvão|Hélder]] {{goal|55}} <br /> [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|74}}
|location   = [[Funchal]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio dos Barreiros]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = Paulo Costa
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 19
|date       = 26 January 2003
|time       = 19:30
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400011909
|team2      = [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira Mar]]
|goals1     = [[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]] {{goal|56}}
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Torres Novas]]
|stadium    = Municipal Dr. Alves Vieira
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = [[Lucílio Baptista]]
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 20
|date       = 3 February 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012009
|team2      = [[Moreirense F.C.|Moreirense]]
|goals1     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|79}}
|goals2     = [[Agostinho (footballer)|Agostinho]] {{goal|56}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = Elmano Santos
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 21
|date       = 8 February 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[U.D. Leiria|União Leiria]]
|score      = 0–3
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012109
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = 
|goals2     = [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|14}} <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|44||53}} 
|location   = [[Marinha Grande]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande]]
|attendance = 8,000
|referee    = [[Pedro Proença]]
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 22
|date       = 16 February 2003
|time       = 20:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 2–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012208
|team2      = [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]]
|goals1     = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|24||28}} 
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 22,000
|referee    = [[Jorge Sousa]]
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 23
|date       = 22 February 2003
|time       = 20:00
|team1      = [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória Setúbal]]
|score      = 2–6
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012308
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Pascal Kondaponi|Pascal]] {{goal|18}} <br /> [[Rui Miguel Magalhães Lopes|Rui Miguel]] {{goal|23}}
|goals2     = {{goal|44||70|pen.||90+4}} [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] <br /> {{goal|61|o.g.}} [[Carlos Agostinho Moreira Martins|Carlos]]<br /> {{goal|63}} [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] <br /> {{goal|80}} [[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]] 
|location   = [[Setúbal]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio do Bonfim]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = Mário Mendes
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 24
|date       = 4 March 2003
|time       = 21:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 0–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012407
|team2      = [[FC Porto|Porto]]
|goals1     = [[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]] {{sentoff|0|70}}
|goals2     = [[Deco]] {{goal|36}} 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 54,000
|referee    = António Costa
|result     = L
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 25
|date       = 15 March 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F.|Académica]]
|score      = 1–4
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012507
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Dário Monteiro|Dário]] {{goal|55}} 
|goals2     = [[Armando Sá]] {{goal|11}} <br /> [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|18}} <br /> [[Miguel (footballer)|Miguel]] {{goal|45}} <br /> [[João Manuel Pinto Tomé|João Manuel Pinto]] {{goal|90}}
|location   = [[Figueira da Foz]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Municipal José Bento Pessoa]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Paulo Paraty
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 26
|date       = 22 March 2003
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–0
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012606
|team2      = [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]]
|goals1     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|62|pen.}}
|goals2     = 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 55,000
|referee    = [[Olegário Benquerença]]
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 27
|date       = 5 April 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[F.C. Paços de Ferreira|Paços de Ferreira]]
|score      = 1–3
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012706
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Renato Queirós]] {{goal|39}} <br />  [[Cadú (footballer, born 1981)|Cadú]] {{sentoff|0|65}} <br />  [[Beto (footballer, born November 1976)|Beto]] {{sentoff|0|79}}
|goals2     = [[Nuno Gomes]] {{goal|10|28}} <br /> [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|20|pen.}} <br /> [[Hélder Cristóvão|Hélder]] {{sentoff|2|3|76}}
|location   = [[Paços de Ferreira]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Mata Real]]
|attendance = 5,200
|referee    = Paulo Baptista
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 28
|date       = 21 April 2003
|time       = 19:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 2–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012805
|team2      = [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|goals1     = [[Argélico Fucks|Argel]] {{goal|42}} <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]]{{goal|66}} <br /> [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]] {{sentoff|2|73|73}}
|goals2     = [[Rui Baião]] {{goal|55}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Nacional]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = Carlos Xistra
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 29
|date       = 26 April 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]
|score      = 1–3
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400012905
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[José Barroso (footballer)|Barroso]] {{goal|11}} 
|goals2     = [[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]] {{goal|6}} <br /> [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|24}} <br /> [[Nuno Gomes]]{{goal|64}}
|location   = [[Braga]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Primeiro de Maio]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = Paulo Costa
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 30
|date       = 3 May 2003
|time       = 20:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400013004
|team2      = [[Sporting C.P.|Sporting]]
|goals1     = [[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]] {{goal|73}} <br /> [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{sentoff|0|78}}
|goals2     = [[Ricardo Quaresma]] {{goal|10}} <br /> [[João Vieira Pinto]]{{goal|33}} {{sentoff|0|78}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Nacional]]
|attendance = 24,000
|referee    = António Costa
|result     = L
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 31
|date       = 10 May 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Belenenses]]
|score      = 2–4
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400013104
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = [[Meirival Bezerra|Verona]] {{goal|44}} <br /> [[Henri Antchouet|Antchouet]] {{goal|77}}
|goals2     = [[Hélder Cristóvão|Hélder]] {{goal|17}} <br /> [[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]] {{goal|19}} <br /> [[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]] {{goal|56}}  <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|66}} {{sentoff|2|49|83}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio do Restelo]]
|attendance = 12,000
|referee    = Elmano Santos
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 32
|date       = 18 May 2003
|time       = 20:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 1–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400013203
|team2      = [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]]
|goals1     = [[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]] {{goal|38}}  
|goals2     = [[Luís Pedrosa|Pedrosa]] {{goal|33}} 
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Nacional]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = João Vilas Boas
|result     = D
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 33
|date       = 25 May 2003
|time       = 20:30
|team1      = [[Gil Vicente F.C.|Gil Vicente]]
|score      = 0–2
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=200315400013303
|team2      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1     = 
|goals2     = [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] {{goal|41}} <br /> [[Roger Galera Flores|Roger]] {{goal|59}} 
|location   = [[Barcelos, Portugal|Barcelos]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Adelino Ribeiro Novo]]
|attendance = 8,000
|referee    = Pedro Henriques
|result     = W
}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = 34
|date       = 1 June 2003
|time       = 20:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 4–0
|report     = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=299
|team2      = [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória Guimarães]]
|goals1     = [[Miklós Fehér|Fehér]] {{goal|15||43||76}}  <br /> [[Tiago Mendes|Tiago]] {{goal|41}}
|goals2     = [[Cléber Guedes de Lima|Cléber]] {{sentoff|2|47|23}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio Nacional]]
|attendance = 10,000
|referee    = Martins dos Santos
|result     = W
}}

===Taça de Portugal===
{{main|2002–03 Taça de Portugal}}
{{Football box collapsible
|round      = {{Tooltip|Fourth Rd|Fourth round}}
|date       = 24 November 2002
|time       = 18:00
|team1      = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|score      = 0–1
|report     = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=2003154500196240
|team2      = [[Gondomar S.C.|Gondomar]]
|goals1     = 
|goals2     = [[Cílio André Souza|Cilio]] {{goal|10}} <br /> Paulinho {{sentoff|2|72|81}}
|location   = [[Lisbon]]
|stadium    = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]]
|attendance = 
|referee    = António Taia
|result     = L
}}

===Friendlies===
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|07|14|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[Étoile Carouge FC|Étoile Carouge]]
|score              = 0–1
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194102/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130254
|team2              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = [[Anderson Roberto da Silva Luiz|Anderson Luiz]] {{goal|83}}
|stadium            = [[Stade de Genève]]
|location           = [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]
|attendance         = 
|referee=
|result             = W
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|07|18|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]]
|score              = 0–0
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194109/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130520
|team2              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = 
|stadium            = [[Stade Municipal (Yverdon)|Stade Municipal]]
|location           = [[Yverdon-les-Bains|Yverdon]], [[Switzerland]]
|attendance         = 
|referee=[[Nicole Petignat]]
|result             = D
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|07|21|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[Inter Milan]]
|score              = 0–0
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194005/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=131016
|team2              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = 
|stadium            = [[Stadio Renzo Barbera]]
|location           = [[Palermo]], [[Italy]]
|attendance         = 
|referee=
|result             = D
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|07|28|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = {{Tooltip|Superbola|Superbola Trophy}}
|team1              = [[Sporting C.P.|Sporting]]
|score              = 0–0
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194136/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=131572
|team2              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = 
|stadium            =[[Estádio José Alvalade (1956)|Estádio de Alvalade]]
|location           = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 12,000
|referee=
|result             = D
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|08|3|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 1–1
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194052/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=132285
|team2              = [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grémio]] 
|goals1             = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|18|pen.}} 
|goals2             = [[Luís Mário Miranda da Silva|Luís Mário]] {{goal|6}} 
|stadium            = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]] 
|location           = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 50,000
|referee= 
|result             = D
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|08|7|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = [[Guadiana Trophy]]
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 2–1
|report             = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=1720770
|team2              = [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória de Setúbal]] 
|goals1             = [[Roger Galera Flores|Roger]] {{goal|25||47}} 
|goals2             = [[Meyong]] {{goal|86}}
|stadium            =  Complexo Desportivo de Vila Real Santo António,  
|location           = [[Vila Real de Santo António (parish)|Vila Real Santo António]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 15,000
|referee=
|result             = W
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|08|10|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 0–2
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194105/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=132942
|team2              = [[Celta de Vigo]] 
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = [[Iván Kaviedes|Kaviedes]] {{goal|69}} <br /> [[Fernando Cáceres|Cáceres]] {{goal|90}}
|stadium            = [[Estádio do Rio Ave FC]]  
|location           = [[Vila do Conde]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 
|referee=
|result             = L
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2002|08|17|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 2–3
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194055/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=133526
|team2              = [[Real Madrid]] 
|goals1             = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|6}} <br /> [[Argélico Fucks|Argel]] {{goal|45}} 
|goals2             = [[Luís Figo|Figo]] {{goal|11}} <br /> [[Óscar Miñambres|Miñambres]] {{goal|60}} <br /> [[Javier Portillo (Spanish footballer)|Portillo]] {{goal|81}}
|stadium            = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]] 
|location           = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 
|referee            = [[Vítor Melo Pereira|Vítor Pereira]]
|result             = L
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2003|01|23|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 1–1
|report             = http://serbenfiquista.com/artigo/sl-benfica-1-1-ajax-um-bom-teste-para-ambas-equipas
|team2              = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] 
|goals1             = [[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]] {{goal|71}} 
|goals2             = [[Zlatan Ibrahimović|Ibrahimović]] {{goal|87}} 
|stadium            = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]] 
|location           = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 
|referee= 
|result             = D
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2003|01|29|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|score              = 0–1
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194140/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=150072
|team2              = [[F.C. Barcelona|Barcelona]] 
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = [[Gaizka Mendieta|Mendieta]] {{goal|6}} 
|stadium            = [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|Estádio da Luz]] 
|location           = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|attendance         = 
|referee= 
|result             =L
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2003|04|12|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[F91 Dudelange|Dudelange]]
|score              = 0–1
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220850/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=157329
|team2              =  [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|goals1             = 
|goals2             = [[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]] {{goal|2}} 
|stadium            = [[Stade Jos Nosbaum]] 
|location           = [[Dudelange]], [[Luxembourg]]
|attendance         = 
|referee= 
|result             =W
}}
{{football box collapsible 
|date               = {{Start date|2003|04|15|df=y}}
|time               = 19:30 [[Central European Time|CET]] ([[UTC+01]])
|round              = 
|team1              = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|score              = 1–1
|penaltyscore=6–5
|report             = https://web.archive.org/web/20150415215743/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=157645
|team2              =  [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] 
|goals1             = [[Alioune Touré]] {{goal|11}} 
|goals2             = [[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]] {{goal|17}}
|stadium            = [[Parc des Princes]] 
|location           = [[Paris]], [[France]]
|attendance         = 
|referee= 
|result             =D
}}

==Player statistics==
The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as managers Jesualdo Ferreira and José António Camacho. Ljubinko Drulović took over the captaincy from Robert Enke.<ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 595">Tovar, Rui. p. 595</ref><ref name="Tovar, Rui. p. 601">Tovar, Rui. p. 601</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sport Lisboa e Benfica Squad 2002-03|url=https://www.thefinalball.com/equipa.php?epoca_id=132&id=4|work=thefinalball.com}}</ref>

{{small|Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [[FIFA eligibility rules]]. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.}}

{{small|Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 2002–03 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.}}

{{Efs start|[[2002–03 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga]]|[[2002–03 Taça de Portugal|Taça de Portugal]]}}
{{Efs player|no=1|nat=POR|name=[[José Moreira]]|pos=GK|31|-26|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=2|nat=MOZ|name=[[Armando Sá]]|pos=DF|15|1|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=3|nat=BRA|name=[[Argélico Fucks|Argel]]|pos=DF|28|2|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=4|nat=POR|name=[[Paulo Cabral]]|pos=DF|3|0|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=5{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=[[Cristiano Roland]]|pos=DF|14|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=6{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=[[Emílio Peixe]]|pos=MF|2|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=7|nat=SWE|name=[[Anders Andersson (footballer)|Anders Andersson]]|pos=MF|16|0|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=8|nat=BRA|name=[[Roger Galera Flores|Roger]]|pos=MF|13|2|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=9|nat=ANG|name=[[Mantorras]]|pos=FW|9|3|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=10|nat=SLO|name=[[Zlatko Zahovič|Zahovič]]|pos=MF|29|6|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=11|nat=SRB|name=[[Ljubinko Drulović]]|pos=MF|19|0|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=12|nat=ARG|name=[[Carlos Bossio]]|pos=GK|3|-1|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=14|nat=POR|name=[[Ednilson]]|pos=MF|8|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=15{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=[[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]]|pos=MF|17|3|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=16|nat=POR|name=[[João Manuel Pinto Tomé|João Manuel Pinto]]|pos=DF|22|2|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=18|nat=POR|name=[[Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha|Carlitos]]|pos=MF|8|1|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=20|nat=POR|name=[[Simão Sabrosa]]|pos=MF|33|18|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=21{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=[[Nuno Gomes]]|pos=FW|28|9|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=22|nat=POR|name=[[Luís Andrade]]|pos=MF|7|0|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=23|nat=POR|name=[[Miguel Monteiro]]|pos=DF|29|1|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=24|nat=POR|name=[[Nuno Santos (footballer born 1973)|Nuno Santos]]|pos=GK|0|0|1|-1}}
{{Efs player|no=25|nat=CRO|name=[[Tomo Šokota|Šokota]]|pos=FW|13|4|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=26{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=[[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]]|pos=MF|25|2|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=27{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=[[Éder Bonfim]]|pos=DF|5|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=29{{Sup|‡}}|nat=HUN|name=[[Miklós Fehér|Fehér]]|pos=FW|17|4|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=30|nat=POR|name=[[Tiago Mendes]]|pos=MF|31|13|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=32{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=[[Hélder Cristóvão]]|pos=DF|22|2|1|0}}
{{Efs player|no=33{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=[[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]]|pos=DF|27|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=39|nat=POR|name=[[Hélio Pinto]]|pos=MF|0|0|0|0}}
{{Efs player|no=55|nat=POR|name=[[Eduardo Simões]]|pos=DF|1|0|0|0}}
|}

==Transfers==

===In===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Entry date
! Position
! Player
! From club 
! Fee
! Ref
|-
|12 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Anderson Roberto da Silva Luiz|Anderson Luiz]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Alverca F.C.|Alverca]]
|Undisclosed
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Acordo por Anderson|trans-title=Agreement over Anderson|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=126805|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221558/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=126805|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=12 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|1 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese footballer)|Ricardo Rocha]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]
|Undisclosed
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Rocha: "Vou fazer tudo para ser titular"|trans-title=Ricardo Rocha: "I will make everything to be a starter"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=128615|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224034/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=128615|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=1 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|1 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Emílio Peixe]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[F.C. Porto|Porto]]
|Free
|<ref name=Peixe />
|-
|11 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Miklós Fehér|Fehér]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[F.C. Porto|Porto]]
|Free
|<ref name=feher>{{cite news|title=Miki Fehér no Benfica|trans-title=Miki Féher at Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=129688|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223905/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=129688|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=10 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|18 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| LB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Cristiano Roland]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira-Mar]]
|Undisclosed 
|<ref name="Diogo Luis Toni">{{cite news|title=Opção sobre jogadores do Beira-Mar|trans-title=Option over Beira-Mar players|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130531|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630074257/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130531|archive-date=2015-06-30|work=Record|date=18 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|20 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| DM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Petit (Portuguese footballer)|Petit]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]]
|Undisclosed 
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Boavista continua a deter 50 por cento do passe de Petit|trans-title=Boavista still retains 50% of Petit|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130806|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224651/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=130806|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=20 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|24 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Hélder Cristóvão]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Deportivo de La Coruña]]
|Free
|<ref>{{cite news|title=SAD confirma Hélder|trans-title=SAD confirms Hélder|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=131303|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224141/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=131303|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=25 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|16 August 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Nuno Gomes]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]]
|Free
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Nuno Gomes: "Ser melhor marcador com o Jardel a jogar"|trans-title=Nuno Gomes: "Be the topscored with Jardel playing"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=133307|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223841/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=133307|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=16 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|}

===In by loan===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Date from
! Position
! Player
! To club
! Date to
! Ref
|-
|11 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| RB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Éder Bonfim]] 
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Grêmio Esportivo Inhumense|Grêmio Inhumense]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref name=Peixe>{{cite news|title=Éder foi a grande surpresa|trans-title=Èder was the big surprise|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=129796|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224244/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=129796|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=11 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|8 January 2003
| style="text-align:center;"| RW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Geovanni Deiberson Maurício|Geovanni]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[F.C. Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Geovanni já treina|trans-title=Geovanni already practises|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=147757|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223857/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=147757|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=9 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|}

===Out===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Exit date
! Position
! Player
! To club
! Fee
! Ref
|-
|16 May 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| LB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Júlio César (footballer, born November 1978)|Júlio César]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Real Madrid]]
|Loan end
|<ref name="julio cesar" />
|-
|16 May 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| LB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Emanuele Pesaresi]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]]
|Loan end
|<ref name="julio cesar">{{cite news|title=Júlio César e Pesaresi de saída|trans-title=Júlio César and Pesaresi leaving|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=123606|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223902/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=123606|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=16 May 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|29 May 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Maniche]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[F.C. Porto|Porto]]
|Free
|<ref name=maniche>{{cite news|title=Pedro Emanuel, Maniche e Paulo Ferreira apresentados|trans-title=Pedro Emanuel, Maniche and Paulo Ferreira presented|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/fc-porto/detalhe/pedro-emanuel-maniche-e-paulo-ferreira-apresentados.html|work=Record|date=29 May 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|1 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| ST
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Edgaras Jankauskas]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Real Sociedad]]
|Loan end
|<ref>{{cite news|title=FC Porto contrata Jankauskas|trans-title=FC Porto signs Jankaukas|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=125434|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220400/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=125434|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=1 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|4 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| GK
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Robert Enke]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[F.C Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|Free
|<ref name=enke>{{cite news|title=Enke assinou pelo Barcelona|trans-title=Enke signs with Barcelona|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=125765|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223923/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=125765|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=4 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|13 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| DM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Ricardo Esteves]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]]
|Free
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Esteves assinou|trans-title=Ricardo Esteves signed|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Nacional/interior.aspx?content_id=126873|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221002/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Nacional/interior.aspx?content_id=126873|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=13 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|20 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| GK
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Paulo Lopes (footballer)|Paulo Lopes]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.C. Salgueiros|Salgueiros]]
|Free
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Lopes: "Impor-me de uma vez por todas"|trans-title=Paulo Lopes: "Breakthrough once and for all"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=127625|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221606/http://www.record.xl.pt/Arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=127625|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=20 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|23 June 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Marco Caneira]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Inter Milan]]
|Loan end
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Marco Caneira está indefinido|trans-title=Caneira is indifined|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=127890|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221144/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=127890|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=23 June 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|18 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| RB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[António Pedro de Brito Lopes|Toni]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira-Mar]]
|Free
|<ref name="Diogo Luis Toni" />
|-
|18 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| LB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Diogo Luís]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira-Mar]]
|Free
|<ref name="Diogo Luis Toni" />
|-
|10 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Quim Berto]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|Free
|<ref name="rui baiao pepa e jr">{{cite news|title=Quim Berto, Jorge Ribeiro, Rui Baião e Pepa reforçam poveiros|trans-title=Quim Berto, Jorge Ribeiro, Rui Baião and Pepa strengthened Poveiros|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/nacional/interior.aspx?content_id=129731|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220426/http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/nacional/interior.aspx?content_id=129731|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=10 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|10 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| LB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Jorge Ribeiro]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|Free
|<ref name="rui baiao pepa e jr" />
|-
|10 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Pepa (footballer)|Pepa]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|Free
|<ref name="rui baiao pepa e jr" />
|-
|10 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Rui Baião]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
|Free
|<ref name="rui baiao pepa e jr" />
|-
|23 September 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| DM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Paulo Madeira]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Fluminense FC|Fluminense]]
|Free
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica aceita rescisão com Paulo Madeira|trans-title=Benfica accepts termination of Paulo Madeira|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=137055|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221831/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=137055|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=23 September 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|}

===Out by loan===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Date from
! Position
! Player
! To club
! Date to
! Ref
|-
|28 July 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bruno Aguiar (Portuguese footballer)|Bruno Aguiar]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Alverca F.C.|Alverca]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Alverca-V. Setúbal: Sem força ofensiva e a errar na defesa|trans-title=Alverca-V.Setúbal: Without offensive power and erroring in the defence|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=131589|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415215138/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=131589|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=28 July 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|quote=The midfielder Bruno Aguiar, loaned by Benfica|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|2 August 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| CB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Geraldo Alves (footballer, born 1980)|Geraldo Alves]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Gil Vicente F.C.|Gil Vicente]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Geraldo assina hoje|trans-title=Geraldo signs today|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/gil_vicente/interior.aspx?content_id=132114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415221834/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/gil_vicente/interior.aspx?content_id=132114|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=2 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|14 August 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| DM
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Fernando Aguiar]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[U.D. Leiria|Leiria]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref name=udl>{{cite news|title=U. Leiria quer Fernando Aguiar|trans-title=U.Leiria wants Fernando Aguiar|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=133118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224648/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=133118|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=14 August 2002|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|14 August 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| RB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Ivan Dudić]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[FK Rad|Rad]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref name=udl />
|-
|29 August 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| FW
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Anderson Roberto da Silva Luiz|Anderson Luiz]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Moreirense F.C.|Moreirense]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Anderson Luis (ex-Benfica) reforça Moreirense|trans-title=Anderson Luis (ex-Benfica) reinforces Moreirense|url=http://www.guimaraesdigital.com/index.php/informacao/desporto/2199-23969|access-date=19 May 2018|work=Guimarães Digital|date=29 August 2002|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|21 January 2003
| style="text-align:center;"| RB
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Éder Bonfim]] 
| style="text-align:left;"| [[C.F. Estrela da Amadora|Estrela da Amadora]]
|30 June 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Éder cedido ao E. Amadora|trans-title=Èder loaned to E.Amadora|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/eder-cedido-ao-e-amadora.html|work=Record|date=21 January 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|-
|1 February 2003
| style="text-align:center;"| ST
| style="text-align:left;"| [[André Neles]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]
|31 December 2003
|<ref>{{cite news|title=André sonha com o Benfica|trans-title=André dreams of Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=158672|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415225005/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=158672|archive-date=2015-04-15|work=Record|date=26 April 2003|access-date=2 September 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
* {{cite book | last=Tovar |first=Rui Miguel | title=Almanaque do Benfica|trans-title=Benfica Almanac| publisher=Lua de Papel |location=Portugal| year=2012| isbn=978-989-23-2087-8 }}

{{S.L. Benfica seasons}}
{{2002–03 in Portuguese football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2002-03 S.L. Benfica season}}
[[Category:S.L. Benfica seasons]]
[[Category:Portuguese football clubs 2002–03 season|Benfica]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]