European Power Rankings: Barca drop as they look set to exit Champions League

The European Power Rankings have been shaken up this week by some seismic movement on and off the field. Below, Robin Bairner evaluates the goings-on at Europe’s biggest clubs.

Between virtual elimination from the Champions League to unhappy players making their frustrations public, there have been some big movers in our list over the course of the last seven days.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of outsiders who increasingly look like the real deal this season making steady but sure progress up the rankings, that look as follows this week:

10. Barcelona 

Previously: 5th (down five)

Is Barcelona’s position harsh? Perhaps. But maybe it isn’t, given the investment that the club made this summer in order to buy a raft of superstar players. To now be on the verge of crashing into the Europa League must be seen as a huge source of embarrassment for the Catalonian side. 

Worse still for Barca, they bet the house – almost literally – on their ability to succeed. They may be going well domestically, but their problems may only just be beginning.

9. Liverpool

Previously: 8th (down one)

A drop in position after a 7-1 midweek win? Yep. Liverpool were up against Rangers - one of the weakest teams in the Champions League - and while the nature of the victory was impressive, the doubts about the Reds’ season remain. 

Domestically, last weekend’s 3-2 loss against Arsenal leaves the Reds in huge trouble, and their mounting injury list means Jurgen Klopp could face a major battle just to finish fourth this year. Two wins from eight Premier League games is not a record to be proud of, and already their chance of the title appears to have gone.

8. Chelsea

Previously: 10th (up two)

Chelsea appear to be on their way back under Graham Potter. They eased to a 3-0 win against Wolves last weekend and followed that up with a 2-0 success over Milan on Tuesday- although the Blues still have much to prove, despite these wins. 

Wolves, of course, were managerless in their defeat by Chelsea, while the European victory at the San Siro was essentially gift wrapped following a harsh red card decision on Fikayo Tomori.

7. Spurs 

Previously: 9th (up two)

Spurs have bounced back well following a disappointing week. Antonio Conte’s side claimed an important 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday to strengthen their challenge for a top-four finish, and now stand a good chance of making progress in the Champions League after a 3-2 success over Eintracht Frankfurt. 

Tottenham fans will also be particularly buoyed by Son Heung-min’s return to form, as he scored twice in the midweek success.

6. PSG

Previously: 4th (down two)

There are few clubs in Europe that can do drama as well as the Ligue 1 champions. Although they remain undefeated this season, they would have expected more from the last seven days than a 0-0 draw against Reims domestically and a 1-1 draw against Benfica in Europe. 

Overshadowing all this, though, is the simmering drama of Kylian Mbappe’s unhappiness behind the scenes. The Frenchman apparently wants to leave the club despite signing a new contract in the summer, which has reportedly caused numerous rifts within the PSG squad.

5. Arsenal

Previously: 7th (up two)

Arsenal increasingly look the real deal this season, posting a formidable record of eight wins from their nine Premier League matches to date. Last weekend, their 3-2 victory over Liverpool effectively knocked the Anfield club out of the title race, improving the Gunners’ chances of an unlikely tilt at the Premier League trophy.

With a win over Tottenham under their belts too, Mikel Arteta’s men have to be taken seriously for domestic glory, even if they remain second favourites for the title behind Manchester City. 

4. Bayern Munich 

Previously: 3rd (down one)

There’s talk of rebellion in the Bayern Munich camp at present. FCB only sit third in the Bundesliga and are showing few signs of getting out of their funk, despite having scored 25 goals in just nine domestic games.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side displayed their surprisingly weak underbelly last weekend, as they conceded two goals in the final 16 minutes to draw 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund when they seemed to have complete control. They eased to a victory over Viktoria Plzen in midweek, but Bayern set their standards to loftier targets. 

3. Napoli

Previously: 7th (up four)

Arguably Europe’s in-form side right now, Napoli look virtually unstoppable at present. Luciano Spaletti has his team playing great football, while winning games at a relentless pace. They remain undefeated both in Serie A and in European competition. 

The Neapolitans hammered Cremonese 4-1 last Sunday, before a 4-2 victory over Ajax in the Champions League. They’ve scored 22 goals in their last four matches.

2. Real Madrid 

Previously: 2nd (no change)

Cracks have slowly started to show in Real Madrid’s form over the past couple of weeks. Los Blancos were grinding out win after win in the early stages of the season without necessarily being spectacular but, with Karim Benzema not showing the spectacular form he managed last season, they have scored just three goals in their last three games. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, and play a vital El Clasico on Sunday.

1. Manchester City

Previously: 1st (no change)

Manchester City’s position of power is such that they could afford to play a Champions League match with Copenhagen in midweek with a virtual reserve team and just ten men, and still pick up a 0-0 draw in Denmark. 

City have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, while they continue to look good in the Premier League, steamrolling Southampton 4-0 last weekend. They are deservedly hot favourites for domestic and European success.

European Power Rankings will be updated on a weekly basis. Writer Robin Bairner will assess each team’s position based on a mixture of their most recent performances and dominance in their respective division and the Champions League.