Power Rankings: The best teams in Europe - Week 25
- 90min ranks the ten best teams in European football
- Bayer Leverkusen the undisputed best team after dethroning Bayern Munich in Germany
- Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Dortmund and PSG rank well after booking Champions League last four places
After a 12-week hiatus (sorry about that), 90min's best teams in Europe power rankings are back in business.
And in case you haven't noticed, it's been rather fun in the European footer world of late. So, following in a week in which:
- Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title EVER, dethroning Bayern Munich after 11 seasons of dominance.
- Real Madrid knocked holders Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League despite conceded 33 shots on goal. Yes, 33.
- Bayern Munich shockingly beat the almighty Arsenal at the Allianz Arena. Yes, SHOCKINGLY (swear).
90min decided it's time to rank the best ten teams on the continent:
10. VfB Stuttgart
With Leverkusen rightfully taking all the headlines thanks to their spellbinding unbeaten run this season, VfB Stuttgart perhaps haven't got the credit they've deserved for their current spate of form.
So that's what we're going to do: give Stuttgart the props they deserve.
Sebastian Hoeness' side have been genuinely fantastic in recent months, and are currently enjoy a 10 game unbeaten run the Bundesliga thanks to the wonderful performances of Serhou Guirassy and co.
Fantastic stuff.
9. Inter
Having lost just once all season - way back in September - it's fair to say that Inter have had the Scudetto wrapped up (okay not officially, but it's coming) for quite a while.
The Nerazzurri have been irrepressibly good in Italy throughout the 2023/24, it's just a pity they couldn't bring that form to the UEFA Champions League too.
8. Aston Villa
The wheels had been threatening to fall off for Aston Villa heading into last weekend's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and then Unai Emery's side went out a put in a season-best performance.
The Villans were utterly electric in the second half on Sunday, securing a well-deserved 2-0 win, and, thanks to Tottenham's slip up on Saturday, they gave themselves a three-point cushion in the race for a top-four finish.
Super stuff.
7. Sporting CP
Ruben Amorim is one of the most talked about managers in Europe right now, and if you've seen his Sporting CP play you'll know exactly why.
And if you haven't, well maybe this league form will give you an indication of why Liverpool and co. are so interested in Amorim's services:
- Played: 29
- Won: 25
- Drawn: 2
- Lost: 2
- Goals scored: 84
- Goals conceded: 27
6. Manchester City
Manchester City's hopes of securing a second consecutive treble were brought to an abrupt end by Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, with Los Blancos prevailing in a penalty shootout at the Etihad Stadium.
And while the result was thoroughly disappointing for City fans, the performance was actually quite good - with the Cityzens having 33 pops at goal in the game. It was just one of those days.
5. Bayern Munich
Everyone thought that the in-form Arsenal were going to brush aside a seemingly hapless Bayern Munich side in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Don't lie, everyone did.
And yet, despite all their issues on and off the field this season, for two games Bayern put it all together. They followed up a professional performance at the Emirates Stadium with a genuinely brilliant one at the Allianz Arena on midweek to secure their place in the semi-finals.
4. Borussia Dortmund
Yeah, there's a lot of Bundesliga teams in the power rankings this week; but deservedly so.
Like Bayern, BVB were underdogs heading into their Champions League quarter-final clash, but exceeded all expectations with a wonderful performance at the Signal Iduna Park.
Cheered on by a raucous home crowd, Dortmund were able to secure a stunning 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid to seal a 5-4 aggregate win.
3. Paris Saint-Germain
Although football's a team sport (as you definitely already know), PSG are proof that when you have a generationally good forward in your squad, you can probably just rely on him to take you to the promised land.
That's how good Kylian Mbappe is, and that's exactly what he did this past week - bagging a brace to secure PSG's place in the semi-finals at Barcelona's expense.
Don't be surprised if Mbappe fires PSG all the way to the final this season.
2. Real Madrid
For the 12th time in the last 14 seasons, Real Madrid have made it through to the Champions League semi-finals.
That is an utterly ridiculous stat, isn't it?
Having knocked holders Man City out too, they're rightfully now considered the favourites to win the competition for a 15th time too.
Yes, that is another ridiculous stat.
1. Bayer Leverkusen
For the first time ever, Bayer Leverkusen have been crowned Bundesliga champions.
Guided by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen have enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign, making surprisingly light work of the rest of the division by winning all but four, which were draws, of their 29 games to date.
They haven't lost in DFB Pokal or Europa League competition either - meaning a bloody historic completely unbeaten treble is still on the cards.