The 2000-01 campaign for AC Perugia was a season of consolidation and dramatic individual brilliance as I Grifoni secured a respectable 11th-place finish in Serie A under the fiery guidance of new manager Serse Cosmi. The year was defined by the sensational, record-breaking form of centre-back Marco Materazzi, whose incredible 12 goals, shattering Daniel Passarella's mark for the most goals scored by a defender in a single Serie A season, proved utterly decisive. Materazzi's goals, which included a surprising tally of seven penalties, alongside efforts from Luca Saudati and the reliable Zé Maria, anchored a campaign that delivered memorable results, including a shocking 2-1 victory away against giants AC Milan. It was a standout year that showcased the defensive powerhouse's unique attacking threat and remains a defining chapter of Materazzi's career.