The progress to the final had been much less smooth than in the 1995–96 and 1996–97 European campaigns, prompting fears among supporters that the side was experiencing a decline.

Indeed, on their way to the final in Amsterdam, the Italians had lost three games compared to none the previous season.

They had needed to win their matchday six fixture against Manchester United to reach the quarter-final, where Dynamo Kyiv held them to a 1–1 draw in Turin in the first leg.

Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi, combined with French playmaker Zinedine Zidane, were the main reasons for Juventus' success.

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