Power Ranking the Top 25 European Clubs After Weekend of October 18-20
Welcome to the latest edition of our European club power rankings, where we order the top teams on the continent based on early-season form and squad strength.
For many top clubs, the return from international football was a positive one, but a select few blew their chance to build on their momentum and continue their charge. We've also got three clubs dropping out, a rare, seismic change.
Disagree with our order? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Dropping out
1 of 26
Borussia Dortmund—three losses in a row, five without a win and 14th in the Bundesliga table. Injuries or not, that's shambolic.
Manchester United—They held onto that spot on the top 25 as long as they could...
Lille—A second straight defeat for Rene Girard's men. The defence is all they've got.
25. PSV Eindhoven
2 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Back-to-back 3-0 victories for PSV Eindhoven—in conjunction with back-to-back draws for Ajax—have lifted Phillip Cocu's men to the Eredivisie summit.
The win over AZ Alkmaar saw Adam Maher score an absolute beauty of a strike, and many are now asking whether or not, finally, it's going to be the year for the Dutchman.
We must admit that his big breakout is long overdue.
24. Bordeaux
3 of 26
Last Week: 23
Differential: -1
As always, we go to B/R's Jonathan Johnson direct to get the Ligue 1 update:
"Thanks to Cedric Carrasso's inexplicable error to allow Stade Malherbe Caen's Herve Bazile to score, Willy Sagnol's Bordeaux side has dropped points for the second consecutive game.
"It was hardly good preparation for this weekend's trip to the capital to take on PSG, but Les Girondins will be buoyed by the fact that the French champions are likely to be without both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani for that match."
23. Borussia Monchengladbach
4 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
It's time for some Borussia Monchengladbach love, who sit second in the Bundesliga after an exceptionally strong start to the season.
With four wins and four draws under their belt, they look ahead to a tussle with Bayern Munich this coming weekend knowing Max Kruse, Andre Hahn and Co. are in fine fettle.
Can they pull off the upset?
22. Southampton
5 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Even fans of Southampton would have perhaps suggested you've a screw loose if, by the eighth game in the Premier League season, you suggested they'd be third in the Premier League with a plus-14 goal difference.
Each week, a fresh Saints player receives heaps of plaudits, and this time around it's Dusan Tadic after slicing Sunderland's defence up to the tune of four assists.
Ronald Koeman's men are now impossible to ignore.
21. Bayer Leverkusen
6 of 26
Last Week: 20
Differential: -1
With the honeymoon period making way for a slightly troubled spell, Roger Schmidt's Bayer Leverkusen remain exciting to watch, but their defending can be atrocious at times.
This time around, a 3-3 draw with Stuttgart saw them fail to take a maximal haul for the third time running. What keeps them in the top 25? That Champions League victory over Benfica.
20. Tottenham Hotspur
7 of 26
Last Week: 14
Differential: -6
Tottenham Hotspur were soundly beaten by Manchester City this weekend, and despite a brief fightback inspired by Christian Eriksen, returned to north London with a 4-1 loss and a lesson in finishing chances.
Admittedly, referee Jon Moss' decision to award Frank Lampard a penalty following Erik Lamela's "push" gave the game an ugly feel, and it's possible Spurs never righted their mentality after that.
Federico Fazio was later sent off, and replacement Jan Vertonghen looked like he'd rather be literally anywhere else.
19. Napoli
8 of 26
Last Week: 19
Differential: -
In a similar fashion to Queens Park Rangers vs. Liverpool, Napoli's tussle with Internazionale and former manager Walter Mazzarri ended in chaos at the last.
Fredy Guarin, Jose Callejon and Hernanes traded blows in the final 10 minutes, leading to an entertaining finale and a 2-2 draw following the Partenopei's earlier opener.
Rafa Benitez's men started slow, and Serie A fans are still annoyed about the fact he plays very few Italian players in his XI, but the side is starting to pick it up.
18. Valencia
9 of 26
Last Week: 16
Differential: -2
A historic performance from Deportivo La Coruna ensured Valencia, surprisingly, returned from the international break to a comprehensive 3-0 loss.
There's plenty to be excited about when it comes to this new-look team—Rodrigo, Paco Alcacer, Dani Parejo and Shkodran Mustafi represent a new era for los Che—but this result perhaps proves they are not ready to challenge for the Liga title just yet.
17. FC Porto
10 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: -2
FC Porto were dumped out of the Taca de Portugal this weekend by archrivals Sporting—a tough result to take for Portistas everywhere.
Despite rotating the XI to keep it fresh and playing Colombian ace Juan Quintero from the start, Julen Lopetegui was overrun by a rabid, Nani-inspired Leoes side.
It was their first loss to Sporting since 2007.
16. Milan
11 of 26
Last Week: 18
Differential: +2
Milan retain a spot in our rankings after piecing together another win, and it must be said this one looked rather impressive.
Stephan El Shaarawy seems to breathe life into this attack, and this week, Keisuke Honda was the recipient of some lovely creative play that allowed him to net two goals.
Is it perfect? No, not by a long shot, but Filippo Inzaghi appears to be getting to grips with his squad and in particular his striking options.
15. Arsenal
12 of 26
Last Week: 10
Differential: -5
Arsenal made it winless in three domestic games this weekend, drawing 2-2 with Hull City and needing a last-gasp equaliser from Danny Welbeck to scrape the point.
There are a few bright spots—Welbeck's form and Alexis Sanchez's brilliance chief among them—but again the focus falls on Arsene Wenger and his failure to buy enough defensive cover in the transfer window.
The Gunners had one available senior centre-back!
14. Liverpool
13 of 26
Last Week: 12
Differential: -2
Brendan Rodgers is likely still pinching himself, asking how on earth his Liverpool side managed to escape Loftus Road with a victory on Sunday.
The Reds were second best for the entirety of the match, but bringing on Philippe Coutinho proved to be an inspired move, and the Brazilian initiated lethal counter-attacks that yielded goals.
That's two in a row for the Reds, but in neither match have they convinced. Real Madrid await...
13. Marseille
14 of 26
Last Week: 17
Differential: +4
As always, we go to B/R's Jonathan Johnson direct to get the Ligue 1 update:
"Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille stretched their impressive winning streak to eight straight matches with last Sunday's 2-0 home win over Toulouse. Not even sitting on a scalding cup of coffee could spoil the charismatic Argentine's afternoon, as he watched his team march on thanks to goals from Nicolas N'Koulou and the in-form Andre-Pierre Gignac.
"A rejuvenated Lyon side should present a stiff challenge in their next game, but OM will be motivated by the prospect of keeping this winning run going into their trip to face bitter rivals PSG in Paris next month."
12. Benfica
15 of 26
Last Week: 13
Differential: +1
Benfica progressed to the next round of the Taca de Portugal thanks to a 3-2 victory over Sporting da Covilha.
A reserve XI was fielded to take on the lower-league side, and Jonas, signed from Valencia in the summer, impressed in scoring a hat-trick to tie up passage to the fourth phase.
Job done as far as Jorge Jesus is concerned, and he's able to turn his attention cleanly to the failing Champions League efforts.
11. Zenit St. Petersburg
16 of 26
Last Week: 11
Differential: -
Krasnodar followed up their great performance against Everton in the Europa League before the international break by holding Zenit St. Petersburg to a 2-2 draw.
Given Zenit's dominance over the league in the early stages, the fact that they've been held to two consecutive ties is a concern for Andre Villas-Boas.
With CSKA Moscow hotting up, the two-point cushion atop the Russian Premier League may expire quicker than we first thought.
10. Sevilla
17 of 26
Last Week: 21
Differential: +11
A lot's going right for Sevilla right now, and their 2-0 victory over Elche this weekend made it five wins from their last six La Liga games. Impressive stuff.
Carlos Bacca was in among the goals, Gerard Deulofeu played well (again), and Grzegorz Krychowiak bossed the midfield. This team just keeps on rolling.
9. Atletico Madrid
18 of 26
Last Week: 9
Differential: -
Atletico Madrid relied on what they know to grind out a victory this week, looking to set pieces for goals to kill off the challenge from Espanyol.
Before the international break, Diego Simeone's men lost convincingly to Valencia, and although it was their first of the Liga season, many felt the beating had been coming.
Los Colchoneros have a long way to go before their "fear factor" is restored, and the juggling of new players is creating chances for opponents to seize upon uncertainties in Madrid.
8. Juventus
19 of 26
Last Week: 6
Differential: -2
Juventus struggled all evening against an impressive Sassuolo side and could only come away with a 1-1 draw. It represents their first dropped points of the season, bringing their win streak to a concerning halt at six.
The Bianconeri players will have immediately checked the Roma score only to see the Giallorossi won, bringing their rivals to within a point at the summit and reaffirming the chances it will be a tight, tight race to the Scudetto.
7. Paris Saint-Germain
20 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: +1
As always, we go to B/R's Jonathan Johnson direct to get the Ligue 1 update:
"French champions Paris Saint-Germain finally rediscovered that winning feeling almost one month after their last Ligue 1 victory. Last Friday's chaotic 3-1 'away' (game was played at Stade de France and not Lens' Stade Felix-Bollaert/Bollaert-Delelis) win over RC Lens was Les Parisiens' first in three league matches, and it moves them up to second ahead of Saturday's visit of third-placed Bordeaux to the capital.
"Coach Laurent Blanc is faring relatively well with the current injury crisis, but the suspension of Edinson Cavani and the continued absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will prove problematic in the coming weeks as PSG juggle domestic and European commitments."
6. Roma
21 of 26
Last Week: 7
Differential: +1
If there's a word for Roma's victory over Chievo, it's "easy."
Mattia Destro and Adem Ljajic tied up the three points before the half-hour mark had been reached, and the Giallorossi killed the contest in the second half by starving the visitors of possession.
Even better, Kevin Strootman has returned to training following his tragic ACL tear in January. Smiles all round in the capital.
5. Manchester City
22 of 26
Last Week: 5
Differential: -
Manchester City dismissed Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to kick off an epic afternoon's Premier League action, with Sergio Aguero scoring four goals and missing a penalty to make it five.
That's three wins in a row domestically, but on European shores, they've struggled to get going and face a must-win scenario in Moscow this evening.
Can Manuel Pellegrini rescue a flailing UEFA Champions League campaign?
4. Real Madrid
23 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: -
Real Madrid destroyed Levante on Saturday afternoon, putting their poor, hapless defence to the sword by playing Cristiano Ronaldo up front. How is that fair?
It was the perfect warm-up for the gruelling week ahead, as Carlo Ancelotti was able to rest a number of players ahead of back-to-back tussles with Liverpool and then Barcelona in the Clasico.
We'll see just how good Los Blancos are very, very soon.
3. Barcelona
24 of 26
Last Week: 3
Differential: -
Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Eibar this weekend was a thrilling watch, most notably due to the fact that Xavi played superbly and ran the game.
Luis Enrique has realised that Xavi is still a magician so long as his fitness is managed, and Xavi now represents a wonderful situational option who can come in and play every 10 days.
Barca still haven't conceded in La Liga.
2. Chelsea
25 of 26
Last Week: 1
Differential: -1
Chelsea ground out a professional, solid 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday but will need to fix up their defence after the red card to Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Blues remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League and have strung together three victories in a row, but their mettle will surely be tested over the course of the next week with star striker Diego Costa possibly absent, per Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.
1. Bayern Munich
26 of 26
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 6-0 to ensure they remain unbeaten to begin the Bundesliga season, with Mario Gotze, Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso in particular excelling.
This Pep Guardiola outfit look a lot more sure of themselves this time around, and if they can take this confidence into the big Champions League tussles after Christmas, they're a threat to win the tournament.
As it stands, the Bundesliga title already looks sewn up. With Chelsea only squeezing past a relegation contender and Bayern soundly smashing their opponent, a leapfrogging occurs.
All quotes were obtained firsthand.
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