📈 Power Rankings: PSG back on top after statement win | OneFootball

Power Rankings are back with new faces and change at the top after an unmissable week of action.

Here are the 10 sides in our updated Power Rankings table.

📈 Power Rankings: PSG back on top after statement win

10. Roma (🆕)

Few would have predicted Roma to gatecrash our Power Rankings table just before the new year. In mid-December, Roma endured a run of seven defeats in nine Serie A games to drop down to 15th in the table.

However, Claudio Ranieri’s return has been a masterstroke. The veteran was coaxed out of retirement to become Roma’s third manager of the season and has steadily led the capital club up the table.

Roma are unbeaten in 12 in the league and have one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals ahead of tonight’s tie with Athletic Bilbao. They’ve moved within six points of the Champions League places after four league wins on the spin.

9. Arsenal (👎 Last week: 8)

Arsenal’s title hopes are all but over in the Premier League after three games without a win. A draw at Manchester United saw the Gunners fall 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool last weekend.

There was better news in Europe, as Arsenal reached the Champions League quarter-finals with comfort. A 9-3 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven has set up a huge clash with Real Madrid in the last eight.

8. Brighton (👍 Last week: 9)

The Seagulls are soaring right now.

Brighton have reeled off six straight wins under Fabian Hurzeler to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and place themselves firmly in the mix for European qualification. During that run, Brighton have beaten fellow European hopefuls Chelsea, Bournemouth and Fulham, after a 2-1 win over the latter last weekend.

Next up is a huge clash with Manchester City at the Etihad. Victory will take Brighton above the Premier League champions and level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. The Champions League dream is alive.

7. Atletico Madrid (No change)

A tough week for Atletico who endured two deflating results.

In La Liga, the Rojiblancos collapsed late on to lose at Getafe, leaving with nothing despite leading heading into the 88th minute. Diego Simeone’s side bounced back in midweek, as Conor Gallagher opened the scoring in the Madrid derby inside 27 seconds.

A 1-0 win over Real Madrid levelled their Champions League tie but it was heartbreak for the hosts at The Metropolitano. A penalty shootout defeat condemned Atletico to a fifth European exit to their fierce rivals since 2014.

6. Inter Milan (No change)

Inter proved their title credentials at the weekend with a remarkable recovery against Monza. Two goals down in a shock start at the San Siro, the champions dug deep to turn the game around and take three points.

In midweek, Inter eased into the Champions League quarter-finals. A 2-1 win over Feyenoord sealed a 4-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich.

5. Real Madrid (👎 Last week: 4)

Real Madrid survived a scare to reach the Champions League’s last eight this week.

A goal down inside the opening seconds at Atletico Madrid, the holders held their nerve to win a shootout after the tie headed to extra time and penalties. Last weekend, goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior secured a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Los Blancos are level on points with leaders Barcelona, though have played a game more.

4. Bayern Munich (👍 Last week: 5)

Bayern Munich suffered a setback at the weekend after a shock home defeat to Vfl Bochum. The Bundesliga leaders surrendered a two-goal lead at the Allianz Arena, though defeat for Bayer Leverkusen meant their lead remains at eight points. Incredibly, it was the first time in Bundesliga history that Bayern, Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have all lost at home on the same matchday.

Bayern bounced back in Europe to re-emphasise their status as Germany’s top team this season. A 5-0 aggregate success over Bayer Leverkusen was secured in the Champions League, with Harry Kane (who else?) on target again.

3. Liverpool (👎 Last week: 1)

Liverpool lose top spot and fall to third after their Champions League elimination.

A positive weekend in the Premier League saw their lead extended at the top, but an early European exit has dented the mood on Merseyside. Liverpool lost on penalties to PSG, the first time in history that the Reds had lost a European tie after winning the away leg – at the 40th attempt.

2. Barcelona (👍 Last week: 3)

Barcelona are daring to dream about a drought-breaking European success.

It’s been a decade since the Catalans last claimed the Champions League, a period in which Barcelona have seen arch-rivals Real Madrid crowned champions of Europe five times. A tantalising forward line fired Hansi Flick’s men into the last eight this week as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored in a 3-1 win over Benfica.

1. Paris Saint-Germain (👍 Last week: 2)

Paris Saint-Germain might just be the most impressive outfit in Europe right now.

Naysayers will criticise the strength of Ligue 1. Observers will watch their two-leg display against Liverpool and applaud. Penalties might have been required to progress, but PSG were outstanding over two ties with the Premier League leaders.

Energetic, tenacious and, crucially, a team, their side had all the hallmarks that have been missing in past editions. Luis Enrique won’t get carried away, but in this mood, PSG can end their wait for elusive European success.

Read – Champions League Awards: Atletico agony, PSG send statement

See more – Is Liverpool’s European exit the end of Salah’s Ballon d’Or dream?

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