2001–02 Club Atlético River Plate season
The 2001–02 season is River Plate's 72nd season in the Argentine Primera División. The season was split into two tournaments (format adopted since 1990–91 season) Apertura "(Opening)" 2001 (from August to December 2001), and Clausura "(Closing)" 2002 (from February to May 2002). The club's kit was provided by Adidas, and the sponsor was Quilmes beer until December 2001, and Budweiser beer since March 2002. Season events. After finishing both tournaments of 2000–01 season(Apertura 2000 and Clausura 2001) in second place, River Plate joined eight players to the squad (five before the start  of the Apertura tournament and three before the start of Clausura). This season also marked the return of Ramón Díaz as Coach, after he had left in January 2000. On 9 March 2002, River Plate signed a deal with Budweiser to be the main sponsor of the team kit. The 2-year deal was closed for AR$2,400,000 per year (equivalent to US$780,487.80 according to March 2002 exchange rate). On 19 March, River Plate introduced the new kit for the main team. The kit was worn for the first time on 24 March, when River visited Velez Sarsfield. After finishing  vice-champions of Racing Club, in the first half of the season, River Plate won the Clausura Championship, qualifying for the 2002 Copa Sudamericana and 2003 Copa Libertadores. Competitions. Copa Mercosur 2001. Group E. At the 2001 Copa Mercosur, River Plate was eliminated in the group stage. Copa Libertadores 2002. Round of 16. At the 2002 Copa Libertadores, River Plate was eliminated in the Round of 16.