Power Ranking the Top 25 European Clubs After Weekend of November 29-30
Welcome to the latest edition of our European club power rankings. We order the top teams on the continent based on seasonal form and squad strength.
There's a new No. 1, with Bayern Munich being knocked off their perch after weeks reigning supreme. Who replaces them, and who is the new addition to the list?
Disagree with our order? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Dropping out
1 of 26
Dropping Out:
Borussia Monchengladbach—three consecutive losses!
Still Missing:
Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool
25. Bordeaux
2 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
As ever, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"Following their 3-1 loss at the hands of Olympique de Marseille, Girondins de Bordeaux got back to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over a listless Lille OSC side.
"The result moves them level on points with third-placed Olympique Lyonnais and Willy Sagnol's men have a run of winnable matches before facing OL in the final Ligue 1 encounter of 2014."
24. Ajax
3 of 26
Last Week: 23
Differential: -1
ADO Den Haag's Michiel Kramer dealt Frank de Boer's Ajax a bitter blow late on Sunday, cancelling out Davvy Klaassen's sweet opener to earn the home side a draw.
It meant Ajax failed to take advantage of a postponed PSV Eindhoven game to temporarily move top of the Eredivisie, and they drop here too.
23. PSV Eindhoven
4 of 26
Last Week: 24
Differential: +1
PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie game against Feyenoord scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed.
22. Lyon
5 of 26
Last Week: 21
Differential: -1
As ever, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"For the first time in 20 years on Sunday, Lyon lost away at fierce rivals AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. With it, Les Gones said goodbye to an impressive run of 10 games unbeaten in Le Championnat.
"Hubert Fournier's men were not just beaten, they were thoroughly outclassed and such a comprehensive defeat will have been a shock to the system. They need to recover with a visit from Fournier's former club Stade de Reims to ensure that they do not drop any further behind second-placed Paris Saint-Germain than they already are (six points)."
21. Manchester United
6 of 26
Last Week: 25
Differential: +4
Manchester United's best performance of the season arrived in the form of a 3-0 victory over Hull City this weekend. Naysayers will suggest the Tigers lay down and offered nothing, but Louis van Gaal's men have clearly turned a corner and are adapting to the Dutchman's imposing style.
Three wins in a row for the Red Devils, and they've rewarded our faith in bringing them back into the mix last week.
20. Valencia
7 of 26
Last Week: 19
Differential: -1
Valencia came up against a reinstated juggernaut in Barcelona this weekend and nearly escaped with a draw. While a last-gasp loss to la Blaugrana looks fine on paper, los Che tried to shut up shop and remained too negative...again.
They lean on their defence too heavily, and eventually Sergio Busquets, of all people, broke through. Shkodran Mustafi made a few uncharacteristic mistakes.
19. Zenit St. Petersburg
8 of 26
Last Week: 16
Differential: -3
Perhaps we were too quick to crown Zenit St. Petersburg champions of the Russian Premier League? Their latest loss, to Mordovia Saransk (it's OK, we haven't heard of them either), takes their tally for the season to two—two more than anyone expected.
Still, there are five points between themselves and FC Krasnodar (note: not Kuban Krasnodar!). Andre Villas-Boas is hardly sweating.
Isn't the Russian league confusing?
18. Bayer Leverkusen
9 of 26
Last Week: 20
Differential: +2
Bayer Leverkusen made it two Bundesliga wins in a row by beating FC Koln at the weekend. Hakan Calhanoglu, Karim Bellarabi and Josip Drmic all excelled.
The feeling of consistency hasn't quite arrived yet after a very disappointing loss to Monaco in the Champions League midweek, and Roger Schmidt hasn't entirely convinced that his side can challenge for second place domestically just yet.
17. Wolfsburg
10 of 26
Last Week: 18
Differential: +1
Wolfsburg bounced back from a tough mini-patch, beating Borussia Monchengladbach to allay fears of a slump following losses to Schalke and Everton.
Dieter Hecking will be looking to take advantage of a drop in form from Gladbach and the continued misery suffered by Borussia Dortmund. Second in the Bundesliga is on.
16. Southampton
11 of 26
Last Week: 13
Differential: -3
A rough seven-day period for Southampton culminated in a heavy loss to Manchester City. The weight of expectation forced them into gung-ho mode at 1-0 down, and City picked them off on the counter-attack to make it a three-goal game.
The worry for Ronald Koeman is that Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle's form has dropped off the face of the earth. If they've any hope of rekindling performances, that needs to change.
15. Marseille
12 of 26
Last Week: 17
Differential: +2
As ever, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"Marseille applied some early pressure on title rivals Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-0 win over FC Nantes last Friday. Coming into the game, Les Canaris had the meanest defence in Ligue 1, but Marcelo Bielsa's men made light work of them and had scored both of their goals by half-time.
"Les Phoceens will fancy themselves to beat both FC Lorient and FC Metz next, with Tuesday's trip to face Les Merlus another chance to apply some pressure on PSG ahead of a more challenging trip to Lille."
14. FC Porto
13 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: +1
FC Porto beat Rio Ave 5-0 this weekend, making it three wins on the trot as they challenge Benfica for early dominance in the Liga Sagres.
A look at the goalscorers this weekend for the Dragoes—Jackson Martinez, Oli Torres, Alex Sandro, Danilo—reminds you of just how much talent Julen Lopetegui has at his disposal. His great use of the full-backs is a major positive.
13. Sevilla
14 of 26
Last Week: 14
Differential: +1
Sevilla stopped a slightly alarming slide this weekend, smashing Granada 5-1 at home. They'd gone three in La Liga without a win and were dropping in our rankings as a result, but this represents a welcome shot in the arm.
Carlos Bacca and Ever Banega were once again excellent.
12. Napoli
15 of 26
Last Week: 10
Differential: -2
Monday night was a bit of a disaster for Rafa Benitez, who saw Kalidou Koulibaly sent off and his side scrape a late equaliser against an inferior Sampdoria side.
There wasn't a lot of punch, but that's what you get when you field Faouzi Ghoulam—a left-back—on the left side of midfield to supply Gonzalo Higuain.
11. Benfica
16 of 26
Last Week: 11
Differential: -
Benfica continued their strong form by beating lowly Academica away from home this weekend, with Nicolas Gaitan and Luisao, of all people, netting in the process.
The Eagles now have 28 points from 11 games in the Liga Sagres and remain in the Taca de Portugal. Despite being gutted in the summer, Jorge Jesus has this side playing brilliantly.
10. Arsenal
17 of 26
Last Week: 12
Differential: +2
Arsenal continue to frustrate by playing the role of impossible to predict. This weekend they ground out a tough 1-0 victory away to West Bromwich Albion in uncharacteristic fashion.
The return of Laurent Koscielny undoubtedly helped their cause in defence, with Per Mertesacker returning to his dominant former self too. The win against Borussia Dortmund midweek is a major positive, too.
9. Roma
18 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: -1
Roma mix European angst with domestic pleasure this week, with a 4-2 win over Internazionale—partially rejuvenated by Roberto Mancini—following late heart ache in Russia.
In the 93rd minute a cross from a centre-back set the Giallorossi's qualification hopes back in the Champions League, leaving them in need of a victory over Manchester City in the final gameweek.
8. Manchester City
19 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: +1
What a week for Manchester City, and what a difference a week can make in football.
The Citizens are rising up the charts after a sensational come-back victory over Bayern Munich and a relatively crushing of Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday.
It's about time, Manuel Pellegrini.
7. Atletico Madrid
20 of 26
Last Week: 7
Differential: -
Atletico Madrid's 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna was typical Atletico Madrid: solid, defensively stable, a little bit boring, and then bang! a set-piece goal.
They defeated Olympiakos 4-0 midweek courtesy of a Mario Mandzukic hat-trick, and they look on course to win their group and qualify in the Champions League.
6. Paris Saint-Germain
21 of 26
Last Week: 5
Differential: -1
As ever, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"PSG extended their impressive winning run to nine matches in all competitions, but the performance in the 1-0 home win over OGC Nice last Saturday was less than convincing. With Marseille still in front, Laurent Blanc's men must keep the pressure on their bitter rivals if they are to eventually overhaul them at the top.
"In doing so, they will also continue to make up for their slow start to the season. Comparing this campaign with last, PSG are four points worse off this term, but Les Parisiens surprisingly lost at Evian Thonon Gaillard early last December. If the French champions can beat both Lille and Nantes in the coming days, then this could be the week that their disappointing start to the season begins to look a little more impressive."
5. Juventus
22 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: +1
Juventus survived an examining Turin derby against Torino this weekend, welcoming Arturo Vidal back to top form with a goal and an assist. Andrea Pirlo scored a late winner in typical Pirlo fashion.
The Bianconeri also dealt with Malmo in midweek in the Champions League, keeping Champions League qualification on the cards. Juve have won six in a row.
4. Barcelona
23 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: -
Barcelona ground out a tough away victory at Valencia this weekend, beating Los Che 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp Sergio Busquets goal.
Their midfield looked a little flat with Busquets in the "playmaker" role, but Luis Enrique got away with his odd chance and, in fairness, Barca were good value for a win.
3. Chelsea
24 of 26
Last Week: 3
Differential: -
Chelsea slipped up. I repeat, Chelsea slipped up.
No one expected Sunderland to get anything from their tussle with the perceived champions elect, but a hardworking performance shut down all the Blues' attacking outlets and produced a scoreless draw.
Their midweek crushing of Schalke is forgotten. Now, the Blues must get back on track in the league.
2. Bayern Munich
25 of 26
Last Week: 1
Differential: -1
Finally Bayern Munich are knocked off top spot in our rankings. Their reign at the top lasted over a month.
A disappointing late collapse at the Etihad Stadium did the trick, and the German giants, frankly, did not look bothered given that first place in the Champions League group was already secure.
A Medhi Benatia sending off set the tone, and Sergio Aguero became the hero.
1. Real Madrid
26 of 26
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
Real Madrid just win game after game, and they've been waiting for a Bayern Munich slip here in order to take top spot.
Where Bayern were busy botching a game that didn't matter to them, los Blancos were professionally seeing out a dead rubber against Basle. That, perhaps, is the difference between the two sides and how they tackle the fixture list.
Sixteen victories in a row for Real Madrid. No big deal.
