Ranking the Top 25 European Clubs After Weekend of December 13-14
Welcome to the latest edition of our European club rankings. We rank the top teams on the continent based on seasonal form and squad strength.
Arsenal bucked the form books by winning two in a row in impressive style, and Zenit St. Petersburg make their final move before ducking out of our rankings for their long winter break. We have two new entries to get stuck into, too.
Disagree with our order? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Dropping Out
1 of 26
Dropping Out
Southampton: Once as high as 13th in these rankings, the Saints have lost all semblance of form. Four consecutive losses.
Genoa: Drafted in last week due to consistent success, the Rossoblu were toppled by Roma and fall straight back out.
Honourable Mentions
Augsburg: A brilliant streak of form is halted by a thrashing by Bayern Munich. They were on the cusp.
Villarreal: They have quietly moved into a four-game league win streak. On the radar.
Saint-Etienne: Must wait a little longer. They drew at the weekend and crashed out of the Europa League.
West Ham: Their run has lasted longer than Southampton's. Have they convinced?
Still Missing
Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund
25. Monaco
2 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Monaco make a return to our top 25 for the first time in months, though given the inconsistencies that have plagued their season, it would not be a surprise to see them drop out almost immediately.
What's prompted the resurfacing is impressive, though, and should be rewarded: Qualifying first in a Champions League group containing Benfica, Zenit and Bayer Leverkusen, plus beating Marseille at the weekend, is impressive.
24. Besiktas
3 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Besiktas are top of the Super Lig by a point and look the strongest Turkish outfit right now. Galatasaray's 2014-15 fall has paved the way for a Demba Ba-inspired charge.
They've been paired with Liverpool in the Europa League for February, which will create an intriguing clash. Ba will hope he can wreck Steven Gerrard's aspirations once again.
(NB: The picture is of Besiktas' final Europa League group game. The floodlights and power failed, so the fans created light with their phones.)
23. Valencia
4 of 26
Last Week: 25
Differential: +2
The experiment worked! We dropped Valencia to 25th last week to encourage them to buck up, and they responded by beating Rayo Vallecano 3-0.
Pablo Piatti was restored to the lineup and predictably starred, while Sofiane Feghouli—the midfielder few can work out stylistically—scored two goals.
22. PSV Eindhoven
5 of 26
Last Week: 22
Differential: -
PSV Eindhoven took care of business against FC Twente this weekend, with Jetro Willems, Luuk de Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum among those impressing.
They did lose 1-0 at home midweek against Dynamo Moscow in the Europa League but were able to secure passage to the round of 32 regardless.
21. Napoli
6 of 26
Last Week: 16
Differential: -5
Napoli are trending the wrong way quickly, with their latest loss—a 2-0 defeat to an iffy Milan side—a very worrying development for Rafa Benitez.
They've qualified for the Europa League round of 32 but face a trip to Trabzonspor in Turkey. Overall, not a very convenient week for the Partenopei.
20. Ajax
7 of 26
Last Week: 22
Differential: +2
Ajax's last three results: 5-0 vs. Willem II, 4-0 vs. APOEL Nicosia and 3-1 vs. FC Utrecht. They're on a goalscoring spree and landed an excellent tie (Legia Warsaw) in the Europa League round of 32.
Although not yet top of the Eredivisie again, de Godenzonen are picking up the pace and look bang in form. They move above PSV Eindhoven in our rankings due to European successes.
19. Sevilla
8 of 26
Last Week: 17
Differential: -2
Sevilla's failure to put away Eibar this weekend sees los Rojiblancos move down in our power rankings. Despite the minnow side playing defensive, careful football, Unai Emery's men have more than enough about them to score at least one goal.
A 0-0 draw hurts them in the Liga challenge and halts what many believed would become a three-game winning streak.
18. Bayer Leverkusen
9 of 26
Last Week: 18
Differential: -
Bayer Leverkusen are without a win in three, but it's not as bad as it seems: They've played Bayern Munich, Benfica and Borussia Monchengladbach in the last three games.
A 0-0 draw in Lisbon was a good result, given the Eagles were largely the better side, and it was enough to carry Roger Schmidt's men into the round of 16 in the Champions League.
17. Lyon
10 of 26
Last Week: 20
Differential: +3
As ever, we go direct to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"It was an excellent weekend for Olympique Lyonnais at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Not only did Hubert Fournier's men take their opportunity to close the gap on the top two with a dominant 3-0 win, but they are now right back in the title race after Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain both lost.
Lyon's final fixture of 2014 is Girondins de Bordeaux away, and a win will keep Les Gones hot on their title rivals' heels, with an "autumn champions" title still not completely out of the question. Coupe de la Ligue progress is also possible, with AS Monaco visiting Stade Gerland on Wednesday.
It could be a very strong finish to the calendar year for Lyon.
"
16. Zenit St. Petersburg
11 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: -1
After beating FC Krasnodar 4-0 in impressive fashion the weekend before last, Zenit St. Petersburg disappointed on their travels, lost tamely to Monaco and exited the Champions League.
They drop into the Europa League and have the entire winter period to mull it over. They don't play another game until February 19, 2015, so Andre Villas-Boas' men will be removed from our power rankings next week.
15. Marseille
12 of 26
Last Week: 12
Differential: -3
As ever, we go direct to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"Following Paris Saint-Germain's surprise 1-0 defeat away at EA Guingamp, it was the perfect opportunity for Marseille to re-establish a four-point lead over the French champions at the top of Ligue 1.
Marcelo Bielsa's men failed to do that and could be made to pay for another wasteful performance in defeat against one of Le Championnat's better-equipped sides. Marseille have now lost to Lyon, PSG and Monaco away from home, as well as Montpellier HSC.
Les Phoceens' inability to at least draw in these games could ultimately stop them from winning the Ligue 1 title.
A win over Lille OSC at home this weekend will see them crowned "autumn champions," but such a small lead points-wise means that the title will mean little to any of the contenders.
"
14. FC Porto
13 of 26
Last Week: 11
Differential: -3
FC Porto fluffed their lines big time this weekend, losing 2-0 to Benfica at home in what could be the biggest game of the Liga Sagres season.
It was the Dragons' ideal chance to gain some ground on the Lisbon outfit and their squad is stronger man-for-man than their arch-rivals'. Unfortunately, the lethargy that plagued their 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk midweek seeped a little too far.
13. Manchester United
14 of 26
Last Week: 19
Differential: +6
Manchester United claimed their sixth win in a row on Sunday, beating arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. Whereas the visitors looked disorganised and tired following midweek failures, United looked fresh, prepared and ready to win.
It looks increasingly likely that the Red Devils will re-enter the Champions League mix next season despite the fact we have not even reached Christmas yet.
12. Wolfsburg
15 of 26
Last Week: 14
Differential: +2
Wolfsburg retained their six-point margin over Bayer Leverkusen in a 1-1 draw with Paderborn, staying in second place in the Bundesliga.
First is absolutely beyond them, but right now they look the best-placed side to contest for second in the absence of Borussia Dortmund. We'll see if Europa League exploits derail them later, as contenders Bayer won't last long in the Champions League.
11. Paris Saint-Germain
16 of 26
Last Week: 7
Differential: -4
As ever, we go direct to B/R's Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 update:
"Paris Saint-Germain's week to forget was completed by a 1-0 defeat away at Guingamp on Sunday, ending the French champions' unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season. The surprise loss for Laurent Blanc's men came just days after they were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona at Camp Nou in the UEFA Champions League.
Le President came in for criticism after the Barca defeat, mostly because of his decision to substitute the brilliant Marco Verratti after an hour, but it is difficult to lay any further blame at his door for the capital club's Guingamp shock.
PSG's players simply were not good enough at Stade du Roudourou and were beaten by a team who wanted the three points more than they did.
A Coupe de la Ligue clash away at AC Ajaccio on Wednesday and a visit from Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1 on Saturday are ideal ways to finish 2014 in winning form.
"
10. Arsenal
17 of 26
Last Week: 13
Differential: +3
It's been an excellent few days for Arsene Wenger; it's rare for things to go so right for him this season over a two-game spell.
First, handing Galatasaray a beating at the Turk Telekom Arena was a remarkably impressive feat. Next, beating a resurgent Newcastle United 4-1 with Mathieu Debuchy at centre-back was arguably even better.
Have a day, Arsene!
9. Benfica
18 of 26
Last Week: 10
Differential: +1
What a result! Defying most people's beliefs, Benfica turned FC Porto over at the Dragao this weekend to take a six-point league lead into the Christmas period.
Lima scored both goals in a 2-0 victory, and the performance had the clinical edge the one against Bayer Leverkusen did not. If Jorge Jesus wins the Liga Sagres this year, he's a genius.
8. Roma
19 of 26
Last Week: 9
Differential: +1
Roma bounced back from a gutting home loss to Manchester City last week with an impressive 1-0 victory over high-flying Genoa.
A Radja Nainggolan golazo settled the game shortly after Adem Ljajic missed a penalty, and it keeps the Giallorossi within touching distance of first place—they're just a point off Juventus now.
It might seem strange to have Roma moving up after a loss to City, but the teams above them all failed miserably and forced the switch.
7. Juventus
20 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: +1
Juventus netted themselves two successive draws over the past week; they lost ground in Serie A and came up short against Atletico Madrid.
The Champions League draw with los Colchoneros was a worry, as they essentially ran out of ideas, failed to break Diego Simeone's men down and gave up, settling for a point.
The draw with Sampdoria stings even more when you consider Roma closed the gap with a win.
6. Atletico Madrid
21 of 26
Last Week: 5
Differential: -1
Atletico Madrid rarely lose at home, but Villarreal ended an unbeaten streak that lasted more than 12 months this weekend by defeating los Colchoneros 1-0.
Diego Simeone's men were on the receiving end of some Denis Cheryshev magic, and popular prospect Luciano Vietto iced the game with the only goal.
In midweek, Atleti stymied Juventus in a complete defensive performance but offered almost nothing in the attacking phase.
5. Manchester City
22 of 26
Last Week: 6
Differential: +1
Manchester City enjoyed a wonderful four-day stretch of football last week. Beating Roma 2-0 at the Olimpico secured passage to the Champions League latter stages, and a 1-0 win at Leicester City this weekend kept the pressure on Chelsea.
The issue for Manuel Pellegrini is that his side have drawn Barcelona in the round of 16—a penalty for finishing second in the group. It's time to show what he has learned from last year.
4. Barcelona
23 of 26
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Fresh questions were asked of Luis Enrique's Barcelona this weekend after drawing a blank at Getafe. A 0-0 draw hurts their Liga title bid, with the Blaugrana falling four points shy of Real Madrid.
The slip-up means memories of an impressive victory over Paris Saint-Germain last week in the Champions League are dispensed. The pressure returns for Enrique, who has one of the most high-profile jobs in the world.
3. Chelsea
24 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: +1
Chelsea made exceptionally light work of their weekend opponents Hull City, defeating them 2-0 and seeing the Tigers raise the white flag after going down to 10 men.
The Blues needed a comprehensive showing to boost their flagging stock, and this—in conjunction with an impressive victory over Sporting despite making changes—does just that.
2. Bayern Munich
25 of 26
Last Week: 2
Differential: -
High-flying Augsburg were soundly beaten by Bayern Munich this weekend, seeing their own winning streak skid to a halt at the hands of Pep Guardiola's charges.
The 4-0 scoreline didn't flatter Bayern's second-half performance but needed an unlikely hero in Mehdi Benatia to step up and begin the fiesta, breaking FCA's resistance.
The midweek victory over CSKA Moscow can be described with one word: routine.
1. Real Madrid
26 of 26
Last Week: 1
Differential: -
Real Madrid were slow out of the blocks against Almeria but eventually turned in a strong showing, winning 4-1 courtesy of some late Cristiano Ronaldo magic.
In midweek they smashed Ludogorets 4-0 in what was essentially a dead-rubber game, but Carlo Ancelotti took it seriously, starting most of his stars. Ronaldo continued his charge to set an absurd Champions League high in goals.
