📈 Power Rankings: Plenty of changes at the top and a new name enters | OneFootball

The Champions League quarter-final action wrapped up in dramatic fashion this week, with the holders sent packing.

But what impact will it have on our ranking of Europe’s 10 most in-form sides?

10. Atalanta (🆕)

There is an argument that if a new Serie A team are to be included then for recent overall consistency, then Roma may be a little more deserving.

But when you go to Anfield and thrash Liverpool 3-0 (the second time Atalanta have won there under Gian Piero Gasperini) then how can you exclude them? A result that echoed across the continent.

9. Liverpool (👎 Last week: 8)

As if that aforementioned defeat to Atalanta wasn’t bad enough (on the back of their disappointing draw at Old Trafford), Liverpool then followed that up with another shock home loss – falling at home to Crystal Palace.

They are on the slide both here and in reality. Jürgen Klopp’s fairytale exit has never looked further away.

8. Sporting CP (👍 Last week: 9)

What a season Sporting are having as they close in on the Portuguese title, spearheaded by stars all over the field such as Viktor Gyökeres, Pote and Sebastián Coates.

They stretched their undefeated domestic run to 16 games with two wins (and two clean sheets) since our last update. The Ruben Amorim hype is real.

7. Barcelona (👎 Last week: 4)

Unfortunately for Barcelona, they are on the drop this week despite a narrow win over Cádiz courtesy of a lone João Félix goal.

That was followed up by a Champions League capitulation at home as they went from a position of strength in going 4-2 on aggregate to PSG to shooting themselves in the foot in spectacular fashion as a red card paved the way for conceding four unanswered goals to see Xavi’s men crash out of the competition.

6. PSG (🆕)

A new entry places high on the list but for good reason after Kylian Mbappé and co. stormed back from a goal down in the Champions League to defeat Barcelona and return to the semi-final stage.

Most impressive was the manner of the performance, with the Parisians at long last looking like a cohesive unit under Luis Enrique and without some marquee names. They have put faith in their younger and less-heralded stars and it is paying dividends.

5. Arsenal (👎 Last week: 3)

While they undoubtedly remain one of the best sides on the continent and there season is by no means over, things are hanging by a thread for the Gunners after a tough week.

They followed defeat at home to former coach Unai Emery and his Aston Villa side which dented their Premier League title hopes by suffering a surprise Champions League elimination at the hands of struggling Bayern Munich – losing 1-0 in Germany after a 2-2 draw at home.

4. Inter (👍 Last week: 7)

The Serie A title draws ever closer for Inter, as does Monday’s mouthwatering Derby della Madonnina against Milan.

And that is as a result of their incredible recent league form which has seen them drop just four points in 2024, with two of those coming last time out in an exciting draw with Cagliari.

3: Manchester City (👎 Last week: 2)

Manchester City may be dropping slightly as a result of their Champions League exit but technically, they didn’t lose on the night – which is the story being stuck to for the sake of Rodri and the club’s unbeaten records.

Warming up for that game, they thrashed Luton Town 5-1 and have moved into pole position in the Premier League title race, which will soften the blow of their European exit.

2. Real Madrid (👍 Last week: 5)

Few outside of Spain gave LaLiga’s leaders much hope of eliminating Manchester City after a 3-3 draw at home was viewed as an opportunity missed for progression.

But Rodrygo’s goal and a gutsy and well-disciplined defensive performance set them up for the upset and they made the most of it by keeping their cool after an early setback in the penalty shootout to progress. And rise in our rankings. Although one of those is a bigger achievement than the other.

1. Bayer Leverkusen (No change)

It will take something special to knock Xabi Alonso’s men off top spot – both here and in Germany.

Their undefeated fairytale season continued last week as they claimed the first leg advantage against West Ham in the Europa League with a 2-0 win and then followed that up by securing the Bundesliga crown for the first time in their history with a 5-0 thrashing of Werder Bremen.

Truly deserving of top spot.