The period from 2001 to 2003 for Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting Lisbon) saw the club competing in various competitions, including the Primeira Liga (Portuguese League), Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup), and UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League). Here's an overview of their performances during this time:
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Primeira Liga (2001/2002 and 2002/2003): Sporting Lisbon had respectable performances in the Primeira Liga during this period. In the 2001/2002 season, they finished in third place, and in the 2002/2003 season, they finished as runners-up. While they couldn't clinch the league title, Sporting Lisbon remained competitive and consistently secured European qualification spots.
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Taça de Portugal (2001/2002 and 2002/2003): Sporting Lisbon had decent runs in the Taça de Portugal during these seasons. In the 2001/2002 season, they reached the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by Leixões. In the 2002/2003 season, they were knocked out in the fourth round by Vitória de Guimarães. Though they didn't win the cup, they had respectable performances in the tournament.
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UEFA Cup (2001/2002 and 2002/2003): Sporting Lisbon's performances in the UEFA Cup during these seasons were relatively modest. In the 2001/2002 season, they reached the third round, where they were eliminated by Feyenoord. In the 2002/2003 season, they were knocked out in the first round by Málaga. They faced challenges in making significant progress in European competitions during this period.
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Key Players: Sporting Lisbon's squad during the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons featured key players such as João Pinto, Mário Jardel, Pedro Barbosa, and Rui Jorge. These players played pivotal roles in the team's performances, contributing with their skill, experience, and leadership on the pitch.
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Managerial Influence: Sporting Lisbon underwent several managerial changes during this period, which may have impacted their performances to some extent. Coaches such as Laszlo Bölöni and Fernando Santos were in charge during these seasons, each bringing their tactical approaches and strategies to the team.
Overall, while Sporting Lisbon had respectable performances in domestic competitions, they faced challenges in making significant strides in European competitions during the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons. However, the period was marked by competitive football and the presence of talented players within the squad.