The season
The 1996/97 competition used the format we call “sixteen clubs in four groups”. Four groups of four, then two-legged quarter-finals and semi-finals. 16 clubs from 15 countries took part, and Borussia Dortmund won it, beating Juventus in the final.
By our squad ratings, AC Milan had the strongest squad in the field, with a best eleven averaging 85. Borussia Dortmund had only the fourth strongest squad of 16, so their title was a genuine upset on paper. In the final they beat a Juventus side we rate higher (83 to 81).
Italy sent the most clubs, 2. 14 of the 15 nations in the field had a single representative.
The highest-rated player in the competition, by our estimates, was Paolo Maldini of AC Milan, a CB rated 90.
Sixteen clubs were drawn into four groups of four. The top two of each group reached the quarter-finals, played over two legs like the semi-finals, before a single-match final. Ties level on aggregate were decided by away goals, then extra time and penalties.
The strongest squads
Our rating for each club is the average of its best eleven players that season, on the scale the game uses.
- 1AC MilanItaly85
- 2JuventusItaly83
- 3Manchester UnitedEngland83
- 4Borussia DortmundGermany81
- 5AFC AjaxNetherlands80
- 6Atlético MadridSpain79
- 7RangersScotland79
- 8FC PortoPortugal78
The best players in the field
- 1Paolo MaldiniAC Milan · CB90
- 2Didier DeschampsJuventus · CM89
- 3George WeahAC Milan · ST88
- 4Roberto BaggioAC Milan · ST88
- 5Zinedine ZidaneJuventus · CAM88
- 6Antonio ConteJuventus · CM87
- 7Eric CantonaManchester United · ST87
- 8Diego SimeoneAtlético Madrid · CAM86
- 9Paul GascoigneRangers · CAM86
- 10Peter SchmeichelManchester United · GK86
The groups
Replay 1996/97 in Magic Nights
In Magic Nights you can take charge of any of these 16 clubs, with the squad they had that season, and play the competition in this exact format. Win it with the favourites, or try the hardest job in the game: lifting the trophy with a club from the bottom half of the field.