BASEL F.C.

2002-2003

Champions League

Juventus vs Basel

Match Worn Shirt

Huggel Benjamin

Did you Know?

As reigning double holders, the club’s main aims for the 2002–03 season were to retain the Swiss Nationalliga A and cup titles. The third aim was to stay in the Champions League as long as possible and, if possible, to reach the group stage. Basel ended the domestic league season as runners-up and Swiss Cup winners. The team also reached the second group stage of the Champions League. In the last 16, Basel faced Manchester United, Juventus and Deportivo de La Coruña. They had a poor start, losing back-to-back games at home to Manchester United and away at Juventus. Basel managed to give themselves hope of reaching the quarter-finals by winning 1-0 home and away at Deportivo. Arguably two of Basel’s greatest ever European games came next as they held Manchester United to a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford and claimed a 2–1 victory over Juventus at St. Jakob-Park. Despite being knock-out on tie-breaking criteria, Basel had achieved their seasons European aim.