Juventus 97/98 – Home Shirt

The 1997–98 season was one of the most successful in Juventus’ storied history. The team, managed by Marcello Lippi, won the Serie A title, marking a return to the top of Italian football. They also made a strong run in European competition, reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive year, but were ultimately defeated by Real Madrid in a tight 1–0 final. The match was decided by a solitary goal from Predrag Mijatović, which handed Juventus their second successive European final loss.

In Serie A, Juventus finished first, with Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi being crucial to their success. Del Piero, with 21 goals in the league, and Inzaghi were among the top scorers in Italy. This marked a shift from previous seasons where Juventus had relied more on their defensive solidity. In contrast, the 1997–98 season saw the team play a more attacking style of football, driven by the creativity of French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who added flair and vision to their midfield.

Juventus’ journey to the Champions League final was less smooth compared to their previous campaigns. Despite losing three games in the group stage—a stark contrast to their flawless campaign the year before—the team showed resilience. They managed to secure qualification from their group, needing a crucial win in their final group-stage match against Manchester United. In the knockout rounds, Juventus faced tough opposition, including a 1–1 draw against Dynamo Kyiv in the quarter-final’s first leg, but they progressed to the final nonetheless.

While Juventus’ league success was impressive, their European ambitions fell short once again in the final, as they were defeated by Real Madrid in Amsterdam. Despite a strong season overall, the loss to Madrid prompted questions about Juventus’ ability to secure a European title, given their near misses in consecutive years. Nevertheless, the club’s league triumph and the performances of their key players, including Del Piero, Inzaghi, and Zidane, made it a memorable campaign.