s.s. lazio were the last uefa cup winners' cup champions to contest the uefa super cup and they signed the competition off on a high with victory against european champions manchester united fc.
the serie a runners-up had defeated rcd mallorca 2-1 in the final uefa cup winners' cup final at villa park in birmingham to earn their trip to monaco and they made the most of their opportunity thanks to a goal from substitute marcelo salas at the stade louis ii.
the chilean international had replaced the injured simone inzaghi, taken off after a nasty collision with jaap stam midway through the first-half, and needed little to time make his mark, firing in the only goal of the game ten minutes before half-time.
united had thrilled europe with their dramatic victory against fc bayern münchen in the uefa champions league final in barcelona the previous may but they were unable to hit those heights in monaco. the closest they came was in the first half with the score at 0-0 when andy cole put teddy sheringham through on goal, but lazio goalkeeper luca marchegiani was quickly off his line to save at the england international's feet.
roberto mancini almost had a second goal for lazio after charging down raimond van der gouw's clearance, but one was all the italian side would need.
