1984 European Super Cup

The European Super Cup was founded in the early 1970s, as a means to determine the best team in Europe and serve as a challenge to Ajax, the strongest club side of its day.[2] The proposal by Dutch journalist Anton Witkamp, a football match between the holders of the European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup, failed to receive UEFA's backing,[2] given the recent Cup Winners' Cup winners Rangers had been banned from European competition.[n 1] Witkamp nonetheless proceeded with his vision, a two-legged match played between Ajax and Rangers in January 1973.[2] The competition was endorsed and recognised by UEFA a year later.[2]

Juventus qualified for the Super Cup as the reigning European Cup Winners' Cup winners. They had remained unbeaten throughout the 1983–84 European Cup Winners' Cup, and beat Porto 2–1 in the final.[4] It was Juventus' first appearance in the competition.[5]

Liverpool had qualified for the competition as a result of winning the 1983–84 European Cup. They had beaten Roma 4–2 in a penalty shootout, after the match had finished 1–1.[6] Liverpool were appearing in their third Super Cup. They won the competition on their first appearance in 1977, beating German team Hamburg 7–1 on aggregate.[7] Their other appearance in 1978 resulted in a defeat to Belgian team Anderlecht.[8]

Traditionally, the Super Cup had been played over two legs, but due to both clubs experiencing fixture congestion, was played as a one-off match in Turin in January 1985,[9] city chosen after a lottery to allocate the sole venue of the tournament held by initiative of then Juventus president Giampiero Boniperti and Liverpool Chief executive officer Peter Robinson.[1]

The Stadio Comunale where the match was held.

Bad weather in Turin created doubt about whether the match could be completed. However, the referee decided to go ahead with the match. Liverpool were without striker Kenny Dalglish who was suspended. Liverpool struggled to gain a foothold in the match in the first half and were behind when Juventus scored in the 40th minute. A mishit pass by Massimo Briaschi found Zbigniew Boniek whose subsequent shot from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area beat goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to give Juventus a 1–0 lead. Liverpool had a chance to equalise before the end of the first half, but midfielder John Wark put his shot wide of the Juventus goal. Liverpool started the second half without defender Mark Lawrenson who had injured himself during the first half, he was replaced by Gary Gillespie. Liverpool tried to level the match in the second half, but their best chances came from midfielder Ronnie Whelan whose shots from distance did not result in any goals. Juventus extended their lead late in the second half when Boniek scored again. A cross from Briaschi found Boniek, whose shot beat Grobbelaar to extend Juventus' lead to 2–0. Five minutes later, Juventus nearly extended their lead again. However, striker Paolo Rossi's shot was saved by Grobbelaar. Juventus held onto their lead to win the match 2–0 and win the Super Cup.[10]