The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football match between the reigning champions of the two major European club competitions, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. It typically features the winners of the previous season’s Champions League against the winners of the Europa League. The Super Cup represents an opportunity for the Champions League winners to face the winners of the second-tier European tournament.
Brief History of the UEFA Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup was created in 1972 as a way to determine the best team in Europe and originally featured the winners of the European Cup (now known as the Champions League) against the winners of the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. The first UEFA Super Cup was played in 1972 between Dutch team Ajax, winners of the European Cup, and Scottish team Rangers, winners of the Cup Winners’ Cup.
In 1973, the competition was between the holders of the European Cup and the winners of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. From 1974 onwards, it featured the winners of the European Cup against the winners of the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League). The format changed again in 1998 when the Cup Winners’ Cup was discontinued, and the Super Cup since then has featured the Champions League and Europa League winners.
The Most Successful Teams in UEFA Super Cup History
Five clubs share the record for the most UEFA Super Cup wins, with 5 titles each:
- AC Milan (Italy) – 5 wins (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007)
- Barcelona (Spain) – 5 wins (1992, 1997, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- Liverpool (England) – 5 wins (1977, 2001, 2005, 2019, 2022)
- Real Madrid (Spain) – 5 wins (2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022)
- Sevilla (Spain) – 5 wins (2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2020)
Below is a summary of the teams with the most UEFA Super Cup titles:
| Team | Country | Number of Wins |
|---|---|---|
| AC Milan | Italy | 5 |
| Barcelona | Spain | 5 |
| Liverpool | England | 5 |
| Real Madrid | Spain | 5 |
| Sevilla | Spain | 5 |
As the table shows, AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Sevilla are tied for the most UEFA Super Cup titles, with 5 each.
AC Milan’s 5 UEFA Super Cup Wins
AC Milan is tied for the most UEFA Super Cup titles, having lifted the trophy 5 times:
- 1989 – AC Milan 1-1 Barcelona (won on away goals)
- 1990 – AC Milan 1-0 Sampdoria
- 1994 – AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal
- 2003 – AC Milan 1-0 Porto
- 2007 – AC Milan 3-1 Sevilla
Milan won their first Super Cup in 1989 with a tight victory over Barcelona on away goals. They defeated Italian rivals Sampdoria in 1990 to win their second trophy. In 1994, they lost to Arsenal in a close game. Milan added to their collection in 2003 by beating Porto and again in 2007 with a win against Sevilla.
Barcelona’s 5 UEFA Super Cup Wins
Spanish giants Barcelona are also 5-time winners of the UEFA Super Cup:
- 1992 – Barcelona 1–0 Werder Bremen
- 1997 – Barcelona 1–0 Borussia Dortmund
- 2009 – Barcelona 1–0 Shakhtar Donetsk
- 2011 – Barcelona 2–0 Porto
- 2015 – Barcelona 5–4 Sevilla (a.e.t.)
Barcelona won their first Super Cup in 1992 by defeating Werder Bremen. They added a second trophy in 1997 against Borussia Dortmund. In 2009 and 2011, they would defeat Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto respectively. Their most recent Super Cup came in 2015, an epic 5-4 extra time victory against Sevilla.
Liverpool’s 5 UEFA Super Cup Wins
Liverpool FC are another club with 5 UEFA Super Cup victories:
- 1977 – Liverpool 3–2 Hamburg
- 2001 – Liverpool 2–3 Bayern Munich
- 2005 – Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow
- 2019 – Liverpool 2–2 Chelsea (won on penalties)
- 2022 – Liverpool 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
The Reds won the first ever Super Cup in 1977 against Hamburg. Despite losing to Bayern Munich in 2001, they got to lift the trophy in 2005 after defeating CSKA Moscow. Liverpool recently added two more Super Cup titles, defeating Chelsea on penalties in 2019 and beating Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
Real Madrid’s 5 UEFA Super Cup Wins
Real Madrid CF have also won the UEFA Super Cup 5 times over the years:
- 2002 – Real Madrid 3–1 Feyenoord
- 2014 – Real Madrid 2–0 Sevilla
- 2016 – Real Madrid 3–2 Sevilla (a.e.t.)
- 2017 – Real Madrid 2–1 Manchester United
- 2022 – Real Madrid 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Los Blancos first won the trophy in 2002 against Feyenoord. They defeated city rivals Sevilla in 2014 and 2016 in close matches. Their 2017 win came against Manchester United. In 2022, they beat Eintracht Frankfurt to lift their 5th Super Cup.
Sevilla’s 5 UEFA Super Cup Wins
The fifth club tied with the most UEFA Super Cups is Spanish side Sevilla FC:
- 2006 – Sevilla 3–0 Barcelona
- 2007 – Sevilla 1–3 Milan
- 2014 – Real Madrid 2–0 Sevilla
- 2015 – Sevilla 4–5 Barcelona (a.e.t.)
- 2020 – Sevilla 2-1 Bayern Munich (a.e.t.)
Sevilla demolished Barcelona to win their first ever Super Cup in 2006. Though they lost to Milan in 2007, they returned to win the trophy in 2014 and 2015 against Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, before losing both in extra time. Their most recent Super Cup victory came in 2020 with a win over Bayern Munich.
Notable Statistics and Facts
Here are some noteworthy statistics and facts about the UEFA Super Cup:
- Spanish teams have been the most successful, winning 15 Super Cups in total.
- Italian teams have won 9 titles, the second most behind Spain.
- English and German teams have each won 7 Super Cups.
- 5 teams share the record for most wins (AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Sevilla).
- The competition began in 1972 as a playoff between the European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup winners.
- The current Champions League vs Europa League format began in 1998.
- Real Madrid holds the record for most consecutive wins (3 straight from 2016 to 2018).
- AC Milan has lost the most finals (4), while Sevilla has lost 3.
This statistical summary highlights interesting facts about Super Cup history and the achievements of various European clubs in the competition. It provides additional context around which teams have found the most success.
Recent Trends in UEFA Super Cup Results
In recent years, there have been some notable trends in UEFA Super Cup outcomes:
- From 2006 to 2018, the Champions League winner beat the Europa League winner 12 straight times.
- Sevilla (2020) was the first Europa League representative to win since 2013.
- Spanish teams have won 7 of the last 10 Super Cups.
- Real Madrid (3 wins from 2016-2018) are the first club to win 3 straight Super Cups.
- The Super Cup has gone to extra time 7 times since 2006.
- 4 of the last 7 Super Cups have been all-Spanish finals.
Based on these trends, the Champions League winner has historically had an advantage, though the Europa League representative has become more competitive in recent years. Spanish clubs have dominated, with Real Madrid’s three-peat and all-Spanish matches becoming common. Extra time has often been needed to determine the winner.
Early Frontrunners for the 2023 UEFA Super Cup
Looking ahead to the 2023 UEFA Super Cup, here are some top contenders:
- Real Madrid – The current Champions League holders and favorites to repeat.
- Manchester City – A top Champions League contender seeking their first title.
- Bayern Munich – The German giants are always in the mix for European silverware.
- Barcelona – Barca is rebuilding but could challenge for Champions League glory.
- Arsenal – The Premier League leaders could emerge as Europa League winners.
Based on their strong start to 2022-23, Real Madrid is an early frontrunner to win the 2023 Champions League and contest the Super Cup. However, strong contenders like Manchester City and Bayern Munich could block their path to a repeat. An emerging threat like Premier League leader Arsenal could also claim Europa League glory and have a shot at next year’s UEFA Super Cup.
Conclusion
In summary, AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Sevilla share the record for the most UEFA Super Cup wins, with 5 titles each. Spanish clubs have dominated the competition in recent years, winning 7 of the last 10 finals. Looking ahead, Real Madrid is an early favorite for the 2023 final based on their status as defending Champions League winners. However, strong contenders across Europe in both the Champions League and Europa League will look to lift the Super Cup trophy next year and add to their club’s decorated European history. Whichever teams emerge victorious from the two competitions will meet in an exciting clash between Europe’s top clubs to claim UEFA Super Cup glory.
