{"product_id":"benfica-2002-03-away-shirt-nuno-gomes-21-l","title":"BENFICA 2002-03 AWAY SHIRT - NUNO GOMES 21 - L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition\u003c\/span\u003e. Club crest and adidas logo are embroidered. Replacement front\/rear club sponsors and player n\u003cspan\u003eame\/number\u003c\/span\u003e are all PolyFlex and heat applied.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNo pulls or bobbles. Colours and stitching in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenfica enjoyed an improved domestic campaign during 2002\/03, finishing second in the Primeira Liga and securing qualification for the following season's UEFA Champions League.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving finished fourth the previous season, Benfica entered the new campaign looking to challenge for the Portuguese championship and return to European competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe season began under Jesualdo Ferreira, although inconsistent early performances resulted in his departure in November 2002. Following a brief caretaker spell under Fernando Chalana, Spanish manager José Antonio Camacho was appointed, bringing greater stability to the squad and overseeing an improvement in results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team featured established players including Simão Sabrosa, Nuno Gomes, Tiago Mendes, Petit, Miguel and goalkeeper José Moreira.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimão proved particularly influential, finishing as Benfica's leading league goalscorer with 18 goals and establishing himself as one of the most important attacking players in Portuguese football. Tiago also enjoyed an impressive campaign in midfield, providing creativity and goals alongside the experienced Petit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenfica remained competitive throughout the second half of the season, eventually finishing second in the Primeira Liga with 75 points, eleven behind champions Porto. However, domestic cup ambitions ended prematurely, with Benfica eliminated from the Taça de Portugal in the fourth round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe club also did not participate in European competition during 2002\/03, having missed out on qualification following their fourth-place finish the previous season. Despite ending the campaign without silverware, Benfica's second-place finish represented an important improvement and secured their return to the UEFA Champions League qualification rounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe season also marked the final months of Benfica's historic Estádio da Luz, which closed in March 2003 ahead of the construction of the new stadium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by adidas, the 2002\/03 Benfica away shirt featured a predominantly black design with contrasting orange detailing, including the brand's signature three stripes. Featuring the Vodafone sponsor, the shirt represents an important period of transition as Benfica returned to the leading positions in Portuguese football under Camacho.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePIT TO PIT - 58cm \/\/\/ COLLAR TO HEM - 68cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Soccer Archive","offers":[{"title":"L \/ Black","offer_id":53161665790239,"sku":"4\/10-VAS004","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/3508\/5343\/files\/LNUNOGOMES.png?v=1793262830","url":"https:\/\/thesoccerarchive.com\/ja\/products\/benfica-2002-03-away-shirt-nuno-gomes-21-l","provider":"The Soccer Archive","version":"1.0","type":"link"}