1997-98 European Super Cup
Jan 8, 1998: Barcelona 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Mar 11, 1998: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona met in a competitive game for the first time in the 1997/98 European Super Cup. The Bundesliga outfit came off its first Champions League triumph under the tutelage of Ottmar Hitzfeld. Meanwhile, the late Sir Bobby Robson guided Barcelona to lift the Cup Winners’ Cup.
However, the two coaches left the dugout to become sporting directors at their respective clubs for the 1997-98 season. A Champions League winner with Ajax, Louis van Gaal replaced Robson for his first stint at Barcelona. Dortmund unexpectedly went for Nevio Scala after the Italian coach suffered relegation to Serie B with Perugia.
Furthermore, the protagonists from those finals made moves in the summer. Karl-Heinz Riedle, whose brace had Dortmund led Juventus 2-0 at half-time of the Champions League final, joined Liverpool. On the other hand, a record transfer sum saw Ronaldo leave Barcelona for Inter after his winning goal against holders PSG in the Cup Winners’ Cup final.
The two teams were in contrasting forms when the first leg of the Super Cup was played in Camp Nou in January 1998. Barcelona were gunning for a first league title in four years, whereas Dortmund had only won once away from home in the first half of the season.
Yet, Ghanian striker Ibrahim Tanko nearly put the visitors ahead by capitalising on Iván de la Peña’s mistake. Moments later, the opening goal arrived as Luis Enrique fired home from the edge of the box. In an end-to-end half, Dortmund came close once again when Lars Ricken hit the crossbar.
Van Gaal’s star-studded team gained more control after the break, but Luis Figo and Luis Enrique squandered clear-cut chances. At the hour mark, the new signing Rivaldo doubled Barca’s lead from a spot-kick won by the Portuguese superstar. As it was the last Super Cup played over two legs, Dortmund had a chance for a comeback at the Westfalenstadion.
Scala made three changes from the side tha hadt started the first leg a couple of months ago. Captain Jürgen Kohler returned from injury, while Michael Zorc and Stéphane Chapuisat got the nod. But it was Barcelona’s change in attack that made a quick impression.
After Dortmund’s strong start, Giovanni extended Barca’s lead with a well-taken strike inside the first ten minutes. Soon after, Steffen Freund’s injury further destabilised the European champions.
Jörg Heinrich’s second-half goal meant Dortmund avoided defeat in front of 32,500 home fans, but Barcelona prevailed 3-1 on aggregate score. Despite a group stage elimination in the Champions League, the Blaugrana also won a domestic double.
In contrast, Dortmund reached the Champions League semifinal and won the Intercontinental Cup, but Scala lost his job after they finished 10th in Bundesliga.