Power Rankings: The best teams in Europe – Week 35
Following a week in which:
– Man City bullied Real Madrid out of the Champions League.
– Inter bullied Milan out of San Siro.
– Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton bullied Arsenal out of the Premier League title race.
90min’s Sean Walsh and Tom Gott sat down to record the sixth episode of our new ‚Definitive European Power Rankings‘ podcast series.
Here are their picks for the 10 best teams in Europe right now.
LISTEN NOW
On this edition of 90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings, part of the 90min podcast network, Sean Walsh and Tom Gott discuss the top 10 teams in Europe after the Champions League semi-finals.
If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
Roma are into a second successive European final after beating Bayer Leverkusen to advance from the Europa League semi-finals.
Jose Mourinho was true to himself and his side squeezed out a 0-0 draw on Thursday, taking just one shot in the process.
Job done.
Tom: „I think Mourinho’s enjoying being on a bit of a smaller stage.“
After nearly letting control of the Bundesliga title race slip, Bayern Munich are two wins away from sealing an 11th straight championship.
But with a lot of their big players linked with exits, are the Bavarians approaching a fork in the road? Are they waving goodbye to their core?
Sean: „They’ve been linked with Randal Kolo Muani, I absolutely adore this guy, I love these fascinating footballers who create carnage.“
Seven wins on the spin has seen Liverpool muscle their way back into the Premier League’s top four race.
It might be a case of too little, too late, but the Reds are on the up again and that’s terrifying for their rivals.
Tom: „I’m scared of Liverpool. You can see that they’ve put it together.“
Newcastle are on the verge of securing Champions League qualification for the first time since 2003.
The Toon Army are going on a European tour thanks to a resounding 4-1 win at home to high-flying Brighton.
Sean: „I’ve been really impressed by Callum Wilson, I didn’t think he had more than a super-sub arc in him.“
Remember Will Still and his plucky Reims side?
They were one goal and one man up at Lens on Friday night. They lost 2-1.
Lens are now on the verge of reaching the Champions League with a fun team of hungry youngsters and aren’t totally out of the Ligue 1 title race yet. Massive.
Tom: „Lens might have shot themselves in the foot by being so good because they’ve brought eyes to what they’re doing.„
Here’s Sevilla’s form since April 1: WDDWWWWLWDWW
Thanks to an extra-time goal from Erik Lamela, they are also through to the final of the Europa League. The days of relegation talk are long over.
Roma stand between them and European glory.
Sean: „Bryan Gil assisting Erik Lamela…finally, some good news out of Spurs!“
Another week, another thumping win for title-chasing Borussia Dortmund, hammering Borussia Monchengladbach 5-2 at Signal-Iduna Park.
They might fall short to Bayern Munich but there is a foundation for them to succeed next season even without Jude Bellingham.
Tom: „I love seeing their transfer strategy, who they’re going to go for is so interesting.“
Barcelona were crowned champions of Spain for the first time in four years with victory at Catalan rivals Espanyol.
They conceded twice in the 4-2 win, meaning they have now let in 13 goals in 34 La Liga games this season. Sloppy, sloppy stuff.
Sean: „Growing up is appreciating goals conceded records.“
Perhaps the harshest ‚down 1‘ in history, Inter reached a first Champions League final since 2010 earlier this week, eliminating neighbours Milan.
Simone Inzaghi’s reputation as an expert cup manager is enhancing and there is at least a blueprint for them to be crowned the champions of Europe.
Tom: „It seems like Inter almost enjoyed being the underdogs, they showed them what they were all about.“
It would be a shock if Manchester City do not go on and win the treble now. That’s how good they are.
Pep Guardiola’s men dismantled Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals and will almost certainly wrap up a third successive Premier League title this weekend.
Sean: „I’d like to see 2017/18 Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling as the wide players in this current team. Then they would be complete.„