Power Ranking the Top 25 European Clubs After Weekend of December 6-7
Welcome to the latest edition of our European club power rankings. We rank the top teams on the continent based on seasonal form and squad strength.
What is Arsenal's fate after a humiliating loss to Stoke City, and how will Manchester City's upturn in form, combined with Chelsea's first loss, shake up the top of the order?
Disagree with our order? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Dropping out
1 of 26
Dropping Out
Bordeaux: A little harsh on Willy Sagnol's side, but another side take their spot.
One to Watch
Augsburg: The surprise Bundesliga contenders are becoming difficult to ignore.
"Big" Clubs Still Missing
Borussia Dortmund: Finally they won a game this weekend.
Liverpool: The draw against Sunderland was so, so poor.
25. Valencia
2 of 26
Last Week: 20
Differential: -5
It's time to drop Valencia to the bottom of the barrel and threaten them with relegation from our power rankings. It's worked for a few teams this season, maybe Los Che will be the latest benefactors?
A 1-1 draw at Granada is absolutely not what the doctor ordered to shake Valencia out of their slump, and they are now without a league win in four games.
24. Genoa
3 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Genoa beat AC Milan this weekend, and while that's not the scalp it used to be, it is an affirmation of the Il Grifone's surprise strength this season.
A one-goal game was settled by former Rossoneri man Luca Antonelli from his full-back position, and after a tough few years in the wilderness, it appears Gian Piero Gasperini is regaining his mojo.
23. Ajax
4 of 26
Last Week: 24
Differential: +1
Ajax smashed Willem II this weekend, with Arkadiusz Milik coming off the bench to grab two goals and an assist. His potential, along with a number of other Ajax players', is becoming difficult to ignore.
Frank de Boer's men have moved to within a point of PSV Eindhoven at the summit, but their opposition have a game in hand.
22. PSV Eindhoven
5 of 26
Last Week: 23
Differential: +1
PSV Eindhoven saw off Dordrecht away from home this weekend, enabling them to continue their reign at the top of the Eredivisie table.
Georginio Wijnaldum scored two and hit the woodwork twice in a pretty clinical display, though Memphis Depay disappointed in missing a penalty.
21. Southampton
6 of 26
Last Week: 16
Differential: -5
Without a win in four and on a dire three-game losing streak, Southampton are dropping like a stone in our power rankings.
They're playing well, dominating the ball against Aston Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal in patches, but are failing to find the killer instinct in the attacking third. Worse yet, Jose Fonte has started making mistakes. They can't have that from their captain.
20. Lyon
7 of 26
Last Week: 22
Differential: +2
As always, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for a Ligue 1 lowdown:
"After their derby disappointment away at Saint-Etienne, Lyon have bounced back well and saw off Stade de Reims in the midweek fixtures before narrowly overcoming Evian. It was not thoroughly convincing from Hubert Fournier's men in either game, but Les Gones won both and have kept in touch at the top of Ligue 1.
SM Caen and Bordeaux are winnable remaining fixtures in Le Championnat, with a Coupe de la Ligue tie against AS Monaco in the middle of those two games. As long as OL stay focused and handle the additional cup fixture with care, they could easily finish 2014 with a flourish.
"
19. Manchester United
8 of 26
Last Week: 21
Differential: +2
Manchester United looked dreadful on Monday night, but nevertheless left St Mary's Stadium with a victory and three points in the bag. Robin van Persie totalled what seemed like about two touches and scored with both, securing a 2-1 win.
They beat Stoke by the same scoreline midweek too, meaning Louis van Gaal is currently on a five-game winning streak. They're third in the Premier League and no one knows how.
(OK, we do now how: Everyone else is intent on throwing points down the drain.)
18. Bayer Leverkusen
9 of 26
Last Week: 18
Differential: 0
Bayern Munich showed Bayer Leverkusen just how far they have to go if they want to consider themselves Bundesliga title challengers, but the 1-0 scoreline did at least reflect an improved defensive effort from Roger Schmidt's side.
Leverkusen, along with Schalke, have let in 18 goals this season in domestic games—a clear high in the top echelons of the league. There are no concerns over their ability to attack, but they're improving at the opposite end.
17. Sevilla
10 of 26
Last Week: 13
Differential: -4
Iago Aspas broke the internet by scoring a hat-trick against Sabadell midweek in the Copa del Rey, with Sevilla coasting into the next round.
The real test came at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano, where Los Rojiblancos were left clinging to an early Carlos Bacca opener following Daniel Carrico's red card.
16. Napoli
11 of 26
Last Week: 12
Differential: -4
Napoli's form continues to evaporate; this week Rafa Benitez's men drew their third consecutive game, this time at home to Empoli.
The Partenopei were 2-0 down before rescuing a point, with Jonathan De Guzman coming off the bench to net the leveller. It's just not been a fun season for Napoli so far, with so many inconsistencies and botched games.
15. Zenit St. Petersburg
12 of 26
Last Week: 19
Differential: +4
Zenit St. Petersburg defeated high-flying FC Krasnodar 4-0 this weekend, reminding the Russian Premier League who is boss.
It's "proper" football in the snow and harsh cold that Andre Villas-Boas' men play; even Roy Keane would likely whack on a pair of gloves.
14. Wolfsburg
13 of 26
Last Week: 17
Differential: +3
Wolfsburg welcomed back Ricardo Rodriguez from injury this weekend and celebrated by beating middling side Hannover 3-1. That's two wins in a row after a blip at Schalke, but they did lose to Everton in the UEFA Europa League too.
Ivan Perisic, a World Cup 2014 under-the-radar star with Croatia, went off with three assists, and Dieter Hecking used his substitutes superbly to find two goals off the bench.
13. Arsenal
14 of 26
Last Week: 10
Differential: -3
Arsenal earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Southampton midweek courtesy of an Alexis Sanchez strike at the death. The Saints had played well but lost Toby Alderweireld to injury and went down to 10 men; the pressure finally told.
But all that's been forgotten, as a 3-2 loss at Stoke City—a game in which the Gunners were 3-0 down at half-time—has sent the fanbase into overdrive. "Wenger Out!" posters and chants follow the club like a menacing shadow, sucking the joy out of supporting the team.
12. Marseille
15 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: +3
As always, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for a Ligue 1 lowdown:
"After being let off the hook by Paris Saint-Germain's draw with Lille in the midweek games, Olympique de Marseille kept their noses in front at the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-1 win over FC Metz at home. Dimitri Payet was the star man once again for Marcelo Bielsa's side with a goal and an assist, while top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac is back among the goals once more.
If OM can stay on top after these next two fixtures, they will be crowned symbolic "autumn champions." However, Monaco and Lille will not make it easy for them and El Loco and his players will not need telling that such a title means little at this stage with PSG still just one point behind.
"
11. FC Porto
16 of 26
Last Week: 14
Differential: +3
FC Porto defeated Academica with ease this weekend. Jackson Martinez (brace) and the magnificent, in-form Hector Herrera scored the goals in a 3-0 win.
Benfica have maintained a better streak of form and remain top of the table, but the Dragoes squad is better, deeper and well-equipped. It feels like a matter of time before Julen Lopetegui's men leapfrog Jorge Jesus'.
10. Benfica
17 of 26
Last Week: 11
Differential: +1
Benfica maintained their three-point lead over FC Porto in the Liga Sagres table with a 3-0 win over Belenenses, but they have much bigger things to worry about coming up:
"Valencia have secured the signings of Benfica's Enzo Pérez and Nico Gaitán. Enzo in January, Gaitán in the summer. [Marca via @PetterVeland]
— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) December 9, 2014"
Losing Gaitan isn't horrendous, but losing Perez—arguably the club's best player—is a nightmare.
9. Roma
18 of 26
Last Week: 9
Differential: 0
Roma's nightmare performance this week was typified by Morgan De Sanctis, whose botched clearance and slow reactions led to two goals for the opposition.
On a weekend where Juventus were held at the Artemio Franchi, Rudi Garcia's men failed to beat Sassuolo at home, instead drawing 2-2.
Focus turns to the midweek Champions League crunch at the Olimpico against Manchester City.
8. Juventus
19 of 26
Last Week: 5
Differential: -3
Unfortunately for Juventus, the best part of the weekend was Carlos Tevez's unveiling of his epic back tattoo. They drew 0-0 with Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi and can consider themselves fortunate not to have lost ground at the top.
A clean sheet is a positive, but they didn't dominate in any phase and struggled to break down Vincenzo Montella's defensive setup. They slide due to the teams below them hitting stride.
7. Paris Saint-Germain
20 of 26
Last Week: 6
Differential: -1
As always, we go directly to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for a Ligue 1 lowdown:
"It was such a familiar storyline for Paris Saint-Germain in their win over FC Nantes over the weekend. Laurent Blanc's men were not at their best, but could rely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to provide a double to lift them out of trouble with a 2-1 win that kept the pressure on Marseille.
However, without Zlatan, PSG could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Lille in their midweek game. It was a great opportunity to take top spot that they passed up and Les Parisiens may well be waiting a while before Marseille give them another chance like that one.
"
6. Manchester City
21 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: +2
The good news: Manchester City have won four in a row and beat Everton 1-0 this weekend in a close encounter.
The bad news: Sergio Aguero is out for a month. Far better than initially feared, but still far from ideal.
Manuel Pellegrini now goes into a must-win clash with Roma without his star man and with Edin Dzeko half-fit. Despite the win streak, this team has seen better days.
5. Atletico Madrid
22 of 26
Last Week: 7
Differential: +2
Atletico Madrid secured 3-0 and 2-0 victories last week as they progressed in the Copa del Rey and kept pace at the top of the Liga table.
The feel-good story arrives in the form of Jose Maria Gimenez scoring as he continues to fill in for Miranda, and Diego Simeone will have a tough choice to make when the Brazilian returns to fitness.
4. Chelsea
23 of 26
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Chelsea! What are you playing at?!?
After everyone in England (bar Chelsea fans, of course) essentially decided that the Blues would go unbeaten and steal Arsenal's 2003-04 Invincible thunder, they lost to Newcastle at St James' Park.
Jose Mourinho has never won a game at that stadium, and without Nemanja Matic a draw turned into a loss. Eden Hazard hit the post late on and Chelsea didn't deserve to lose, but the result undoes the 3-0 thrashing they gave Tottenham Hotspur in midweek.
3. Barcelona
24 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: +1
Barcelona enjoyed two fairly easy games in the space of four days, with Luis Enrique able to rotate heavily and use his full squad.
Beating Huesca was a breeze and Andres Iniesta returned, then the Catalan derby turned out to be anything but a challenge after an initial frustrating 45 minutes. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick—his 29th in all competitions.
2. Bayern Munich
25 of 26
Last Week: 2
Differential: 0
Bayern Munich saw off the challenge of Bayer Leverkusen this weekend, scratching off another potential loss in what seems like a genuine potential unbeaten Bundesliga season.
Franck Ribery scored the only goal in a game where Xabi Alonso starred. Per Goal.com, Arjen Robben is flying and has warned Pep Guardiola not to start rotating him like he has most of his squad.
1. Real Madrid
26 of 26
Last Week: 1
Differential: 0
There was something for everyone in Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo this weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick (pleasing the CR7 fans), while he was perceived by some to have dived to win a penalty (pleasing the Lionel Messi fans). Asier Illarramendi started a game (pleasing the hipsters).
Ultimately, Los Blancos' mauling of Eduardo Berizzo's men, in addition to their 5-0 victory in midweek in the Copa del Rey, means they're secure at the top for a second week.
