European Power Rankings: The Old Continent's 25 Best Football Clubs

Let the heated discussion begin.

What follows is a power ranking of the top 25 football clubs in Europe. It's as simple as that, and yet, it's sure to start an almost endless argument.

That's fine. Just remember, though, that this is one guy's opinion. Other people (Barca fourth, eh?) have their opinions. And by all means, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Ready? Let's get started.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeCummings37

25. Montpellier

Domestic: Second in Ligue 1; Coupe de France quarterfinals

Europe: None

Last Week: Beat Chateauroux 2-0 in Coupe de France, Round of 16; beat AC Ajaccio 3-0 in Ligue 1

Up Next: At PSG, Feb. 19; home to Bordeaux, Feb. 25 (both Ligue 1)

Comments: The rise of that man, Olivier Giroud, has mirrored Montpellier's own. As Montpellier continue to build their reputation, so does Giroud, who is now reportedly valued at more than £13 million.

Are they both one-hit wonders? It's possible. But for now, they belong.

24. Basel

Domestic: First in Swiss Super League; Swiss Cup quarterfinals

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Drew 0-0 with FC Sion Sitten (league)

Up Next: At Young Boys, Feb. 17 (league); home to Bayern Munich, Feb. 22 (CL)

Comments: Basel slumped to a scoreless draw at home to Sion in their first match back from winter break. They'll need to pick it up if they want to continue their magical European run, which already features a victory over Manchester United.

23. Inter Milan

Domestic: Fifth in Serie A; out of Italian Cup

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Lost at home to AS Roma 4-0; lost at home to Novara 1-0

Up Next: Home to Bologna, Feb. 17 (league); at Marseille, Feb. 22 (CL)

Comments: And this ranking is falling. Again.

Seriously, what's going on with Inter? They've already made one coaching change this year, and reports of another are picking up steam in the rumor mill. The switch to Claudio Ranieri weaved his magic for a while, but now the Nerazzurri have lost four of their last five matches overall.

On current form, they won't even be in the top 50 for long.

22. Udinese

Domestic: Fourth in Serie A; out of Italian Cup

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Lost 3-2 at Fiorentina; lost 2-1 at home to AC Milan (both in league)

Up Next: Home to PAOK Salonika, Feb. 16 (Europa League); home to Cagliari, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: Udinese have lost two consecutive matches in the league, but they're still in fourth position. Repeat Champions League qualification (they reached the final qualifying round this season and lost to Arsenal) must be their focus.

21. CSKA Moscow

Domestic: Finished 2011 championship group table in 2nd position

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: None

Up Next: Home to Real Madrid, Feb. 21 (CL)

Comments: While the wacky Russian schedule waits around, CSKA are involved in just one competition. With Real Madrid up next, their involvement in Europe may also end soon.

20. Lazio

Domestic: Third in Serie A; out of Italian Cup

Europe: Europa League, second round

Last Week: Lost 3-2 at Genoa; beat Cesena 3-2 at home (both in league)

Up Next: Home to Atletico Madrid, Feb. 16 (Europa League); at Palermo, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: The loss to Genoa aside, Lazio are currently on target for Champions League football next season.

19. Schalke 04

Domestic: Fourth in Bundesliga; out of DFB Pokal

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Lost 3-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach (league)

Up Next: At Viktoria Plzen, Feb. 16 (Europa League); home to VfL Wolfsburg, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: The loss to Monchengladbach was damaging, but Schalke still hold fourth place and the Bundesliga's final Champions League spot. Consolidation of their league position must remain the priority.

18. Valencia

Domestic: Third in La Liga; eliminated from Copa Del Rey in semifinals

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Drew 0-0 at Atletico Madrid (league); lost 2-0 at Barcelona (cup); beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 (league)

Up Next: At Stoke City (Europa League); at Barcelona (league)

Comments: Valencia's brave resistance against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey semifinals finally ended with a 2-0 loss at the Camp Nou. The same two teams meet at the same place this week, and that will present a tough challenge to Valencia.

17. Zenit St. Petersburg

Domestic: Reigning Russian league champions

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: None

Up Next: Home to Benfica, Feb. 15 (CL)

Comments: Russia's wacky schedule has surely messed with Zenit's momentum. But they have a great opportunity to reach the Champions League quarterfinals with a winnable Round of 16 tie against Benfica.

16. Arsenal

Domestic: Fourth in Barclays Premier League; FA Cup 5th round

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Beat Sunderland 2-1 on road (league)

Up Next: At AC Milan, Feb. 15 (CL); at Sunderland, Feb. 18 (FA Cup)

Comments: It's impossible to predict Arsenal's next move in their crazy season. The Gunners followed up on the 7-1 demolition of Blackburn last weekend with a thrilling 2-1 victory at Sunderland on Saturday. Thierry Henry scored an unlikely winner after Arsenal had fallen behind in the second half.

Henry is heading back to MLS soon, and even though he played just a reserve role, his presence seems to have helped. So will Arsenal have enough in reserve to keep progressing in Europe and at home?

Beware of making any predictions regarding this team this year.

By the way: Anyone notice that they're back in fourth place and in line for Champions League qualification?

15. Olympique Lyonnais

Domestic: Fourth in Ligue 1 (level on points with third-placed Lille); Coupe de France quarterfinals; Coupe de la Ligue final

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Drew 2-2 at Lyon (league); beat Bordeaux 3-1 (French Cup); lost 2-1 at Caen (league)

Up Next: Home to APOEL Nicosia, Feb. 14 (CL); at Bordeaux, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: The league might be out of reach, but Lyon still have chances to win silverware this season. The first comes April 14 against Marseille in the Couple de la Ligue final.

14. Porto

Domestic: Second in Portuguese league

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Sunday, at home to Uniao Leiria, Feb. 12 (league)

Up Next: Home to Manchester City, Feb. 16 (Europa League); at Vitoria Setubal, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: Heading into Sunday's match, Porto were eight points behind Benfica in the league and level with Braga. The upcoming stretch is crucial.

13. PSV

Domestic: First in Eredivisie; Dutch Cup semifinals

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Drew 1-1 at SC Heracles Almelo (league); beat De Graafschap 4-1 at home (league)

Up Next: At Trabzonspor, Feb. 16 (Europa League); at FC Groningen, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: PSV continue to lead Holland's Eredivisie, though they're now level on points with AZ Alkmaar. Meanwhile, they're still alive in the Dutch Cup and Europa League.

12. Chelsea

Domestic: Fifth in Barclays Premier League; FA Cup fifth round

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Drew 3-3 at home to Manchester United; lost 2-0 at Everton (both in league)

Up Next: Home to Birmingham City, Feb. 18 (FA Cup); at Napoli, Feb. 21 (CL)

Comments: Falling fast.

Chelsea looked like a mid-table team in this weekend's 2-0 loss at Everton, and they're currently outside England's Champions League qualifying spots. But they'll have two quick shots at redemption in the FA Cup and this season's Champions League.

11. Benfica

Domestic: First in Portuguese League

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Beat CD Nacional de Madeira 4-1

Up Next: At Zenit St. Petersburg, Feb. 15 (CL)

Comments: Benfica's situation is Exhibit A as to why it's not always an advantage to play on the road first in Champions League knock-out ties. It's tough for any team to travel to Russia in winter, and Benfica will be hoping the trip doesn't put them behind the cue ball.

In better news, Benfica led Porto by eight points heading into Porto's Sunday match.

10. PSG

Domestic: First in Ligue 1; Coupe de France Round of 16

Europe: Out of Europa League

Last Week: Beat Evian Thonon Gaillard 3-1 (league); drew 0-0 with Nice (league)

Up Next: At Dijon, Feb. 15 (cup); home to Montpellier, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: PSG still haven't won anything, but with tons of money and an ever-improving (via heavy investment) squad, they're a team for the future.

9. Juventus

Domestic: Second in Serie A; Coppa Italia semifinals

Europe: None

Last Week: Drew 0-0 at Siena (league); beat AC Milan 2-1 on road (cup)

Up Next: At Parma, Feb. 15 (league); home to Catania, Feb. 18 (league)

Comments: Sunday's match at Bologna was postponed, so Juventus remain in second, two points behind Milan, but with two matches in hand. In the Coppa Italia semis, Juventus defeated Milan 2-1 in the first leg at the San Siro.

8. Tottenham Hotspur

Domestic: Third in Barclays Premier League; FA Cup fifth round

Europe: Out of Europa League

Last Week: Drew 0-0 at Liverpool; beat Newcastle 5-0 at home (both in league)

Up Next: At Stevenage, Feb. 19 (FA Cup); at Arsenal, Feb. 26 (league)

Comments: Spurs have consolidated third place, but now they're at a crossroads. Manager Harry Redknapp seems to be the favorite for the vacant England job. So is it now or never?

It could be just that for Spurs, and the next few matches will be important. A tricky trip to Stevenage in the FA Cup is followed by a rivalry match at Arsenal.

7. AC Milan

Domestic: First in Serie A; Coppa Italia semifinals

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Drew 0-0 at home to Napoli (league); lost 2-1 at home to Juventus (cup); beat Udinese 2-1 on road (league)

Up Next: Home to Arsenal, Feb. 15 (CL); at Cesena, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: It's a busy time for AC Milan. The Rossoneri lead Serie A, but Juventus are only two points back with two matches in hand. Milan are also still alive in the Champions League, but Arsenal await in the Round of 16.

6. Borussia Dortmund

Domestic: First in Bundesliga; DFB-Pokal semifinals

Europe: Out of Champions League

Last Week: Beat Holstein Kiel 4-1 on road (DFB-Pokal); beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 (league)

Up Next: At Hertha Berlin, Feb. 18 (league)

Comments: Dortmund, the defending Bundesliga champions, still lead Bayern Munich by two points atop the table. In the cup, they have a workable semifinal against Greuther Fürth.

5. Bayern Munich

Domestic: Second in Bundesliga; DFB-Pokal semis

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Beat VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on road (DFB-Pokal); beat Kaiserslautern 2-0 at home (league)

Up Next: At SC Freiburg, Feb. 18 (league); at Basel, Feb. 22 (CL)

Comments: Bayern still trail Dortmund in the league, but both teams are still alive in the cup semis and Bayern have advanced further in Europe. Thus, the Bavarians still hold the slight edge. For now.

4. Manchester United

Domestic: Second in Barclays Premier League

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Drew 3-3 at Chelsea; beat Liverpool 2-1 at home (both in league)

Up Next: At Ajax, Feb. 16 (Europa League)

Comments: Get ready for the strange sight of Manchester United in the Europa League. But also get ready for a classic stretch run in the Barclays Premier League. United retook the top spot for less than a day with Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool. But Manchester City reclaimed it Sunday.

3. Manchester City

Domestic: First in Barclays Premier League

Europe: Europa League second round

Last Week: Beat Aston Villa 1-0 on road (league)

Up Next: At Porto, Feb. 16 (Europa League)

Comments: City are back atop the Premier League after Sunday's 1-0 win at Villa Park. The title run-in promises plenty of excitement.

2. Real Madrid

Domestic: First in La Liga

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Beat Getafe 1-0 on road (league)

Up Next: Home to Levante (Sunday)

Comments: Heading into Sunday's match against Levante, Real held a massive seven point advantage over Barcelona atop the La Liga table—with a match in hand. A victory would give Real a stout 10-point lead. But still…

1. Barcelona

Domestic: Second in La Liga; Copa Del Rey finalists

Europe: Champions League Round of 16

Last Week: Beat Valencia 2-0 at home (cup); lost 3-2 at Osasuna (league)

Up Next: At Bayer Leverkusen, Feb. 14 (CL); home to Valencia, Feb. 19 (league)

Comments: Barca finally broke Valencia's resistance in the Copa Del Rey semifinals, but after Saturday's loss to Osasuna, they could find themselves 10 points behind Real Madrid in the league. With those two results in mind, it's looking like the league is Real's while the cup is Barca's.

A late-round Champions League showdown could settle the score.