During 2002–03 season, Bologna FC experienced a year of transition and consolidation, ultimately securing an 11th-place finish in Serie A under the guidance of manager Francesco Guidolin. The club began their campaign in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, where they made a strong run to the finals but narrowly missed out on a UEFA Cup berth after losing to Fulham. Domestically, the Rossoblù relied heavily on the attacking prowess of veteran striker Giuseppe Signori, who finished as the club's top goalscorer with 16 goals in all competitions, well-supported by forward Julio Cruz. While the team proved formidable at their home ground, the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, a difficult away record hindered them from replicating the European-chasing form of the previous season, keeping them securely entrenched in mid-table.