ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti examines the pressure that Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti is facing after conceding the top spot to Barcelona in La Liga.
The Power Rankings are back with the same leaders, but there has been plenty of jockeying for position below Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as a duo of new entries.
1. Barcelona (no change)
Not only did Barcelona thrash Rayo Vallecano 6-1 but after Real Madrid’s surprise defeat in Bilbao, Luis Enrique’s men now find themselves top of La Liga. There have been several key contributors to Barca’s dominant recent form but — surprise! — Lionel Messi remains fundamental to everything they do. The Argentine genius has scored 15 goals in his last nine league games.
2. Bayern Munich (no change)
The inconvenience of falling behind at Hannover was quickly swept aside as Bayern cruised to a 3-1 win on their relentless march to another German title. As for their Champions league second leg vs. Shakhtar? Well, that was over as a contest within three minutes as the Bavarians won 7-0. Possible injuries to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are a concern, though neither is believed to be serious.
3. Juventus (+2)
Moments after Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal, ex-Red Paul Pogba scored a stunning winner to remind their fans (again) what might have been. The French midfielder is Juventus’ crown jewel now and he was the difference as the Italian champions moved closer to retaining their title with a 1-0 victory over Sassuolo.
4. Real Madrid (-1)
What is going on at the Bernabeu? A dreadful week for Carlo Ancelotti’s side began with a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao and continued with their near-exit from the Champions League. Schalke’s 4-3 win wasn’t quite enough for the upset of all upsets but the warning signs must be heeded if Carlo Ancelotti’s side are to win any silverware at all this season.
Suddenly, Barcelona are in charge of La Liga’s title race after yet another emphatic and impressive win.
5. Benfica (+2)
The defending Portuguese champions maintained their four-point lead atop this season’s standings with a 3-1 win at Arouca, a game in which veteran Brazilian striker Lima scored twice. Through 24 games this season, Benfica have dropped just 10 points in league play and have excelled at both ends of the pitch, scoring 60 goals and conceding just 11.
6. Paris Saint-Germain (new)
After coming close in seasons past, PSG finally made a statement in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. That they did without their sent-off talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and after going behind twice at Chelsea, made Wednesday’s aggregate win all the more remarkable. Laurent Blanc’s side are still an outside bet to win the tournament but their belief will have soared with that result.
7. Chelsea (-3)
It all looked so straightforward. After a full week to prepare and with an away goal in the bank and PSG down to 10 men, did anyone expect Chelsea not to reach the Champions League quarterfinals? What happened next was truly remarkable and a sign that, despite appearing to cruise to the Premier League title this season, Chelsea are some way from European glory.
8. FC Porto (new)
Portugal’s representation in this week’s Power Rankings has doubled after Porto’s emphatic Champions League 4-0 win (5-0 agg.) vs. Basel. Julen Lopetegui’s men swept aside their Swiss opposition and served notice that they will be no pushovers in the last eight. Porto are also in the running for the Portuguese league, having won six straight games in domestic competition.
9. Wolfsburg (-3)
After winning eight and drawing three of their previous 11 Bundesliga games, the Wolves slipped up last weekend, losing 1-0 at Augsburg. Yet they rebounded emphatically in their Europa League round of 16 first leg against Inter Milan, falling behind early before winning 3-1 thanks two more goals from Kevin De Bruyne. Arguably the favourites still in UEFA’s secondary club competition.
10. Atletico Madrid (-2)
With just one win in their last five games in all competitions, Atleti have hit the buffers a little. Diego Simeone’s side remain third in La Liga but are just one point ahead of Valencia, against whom they dropped points at home last weekend having taken the lead. They visit Espanyol this weekend before a potentially season-defining Champions League second leg vs. Bayer Leverkusen.
Dropping out: Liverpool, Fiorentina