European Football Power Rankings 2022/23-Issue 3(4/15/2023)
To say it’s been a while since my last of these Power Ranking articles would be an understatement, but hopefully from here on out to the end of the season, I’ll be writing them consistently. A lot has happened in these 6 months, with teams now playing Champions League quarter-finals and some league champions all but crowned. With that said, this issue will be ranked more so by recent form: who’s been hot?
10.) FC PORTO — Portugal
Recently dumped out of the Champions League in tense fashion(0–1 over 2 legs), Porto have won 3 straight(undefeated last 6) as they close in on the league leaders Benfica. One of those wins came precisely vs their rivals Benfica, and in enemy territory. With Benfica winless in their last 4 across all competitions, Porto will be hoping for more slip-ups as they look to overcome the 4 point margin over the next 6 league games.
9.) FC BARCELONA — Spain
Barcelona haven’t scored in 3 games in a tough stretch that has seen them fall out of the Copa de Rey in embarrassing fashion, at home no less, and then draw successive games in La Liga. Fortunately, the Barcelona of months prior was dominant at times, and thus they still have an 11 point lead at the summit of the league. While their first league title since 2019 will make this season a successful one, the team’s form without 20 year old Pedri is concerning, and a reminder the team still has gaps to fill. Nonetheless, the first worthy piece of silverware in the Xavi era is sure to come, and that’s promising. They’re a young team and the defense has been historic. Barcelona will look to break their scoring drought in their next game vs a Spanish team higher on this list…
8.) ACF FIORENTINA — Italy
Despite losing the 2nd leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie with Lech Poznan 2–3, they advance on the back of their 4–1 1st leg win in Poland. The Florence outfit hadn’t lost since February 12th before then, mainly off the back of their strong defense(ranked 5th in the league and has been climbing during this run). They are in both the Coppa Italia and Conference League semi-finals, up 2–0 after the 1st leg in the former. With the way the famous purple team has been playing, you wouldn’t be surprised to see Fiorentina finish the season with 2 more cups in their trophy cabinet.
7.) SS LAZIO — Italy
Juventus may have gotten their 15 point deduction overturned, but Lazio haven’t lost their place in Serie A. Sitting in 2nd place, the Roman team hasn’t lost in the league since February 11th(vs Atalanta) although they were eliminated from the Conference League by a less-favored AZ Alkmaar side. During this latest undefeated stretch, they have beaten Juventus, fierce rivals Roma, and most impressively, Napoli. A common issue for them has been the lack of a backup striker, which will again come into focus with star man Ciro Immobile injured following a car crash(I wish him the best), but the work Maurizio Sarri has done with this team has been remarkable.
6.) ARSENAL FC — England
Arsenal haven’t lost since February 15th, but their recent results will have left a sour taste in their mouths. The Gunners still have control of their own destiny, however two successive draws in which they blew 2–0 leads mean they only have a 4 point lead. That second place team is red hot(higher on the list), the reigning champs, and have a game in hand. With 7 games left, and the lead so fragile, Arsenal can’t afford any more mistakes. Gabriel Jesus has been sharp since his return, however William Saliba’s absence at the other end has been tough to overcome. Time will tell if this young team can come away with the title, or if the moment will prove too big for them. Their next game versus Southampton will be their only chance to right the ship before a big game against that second place team, which could define the PL champion, and Arsenal’s season.
5.) REAL MADRID CF — Spain
After encountering some struggles following the World Cup, Barcelona pulled away and put the league campaign out of Real’s realistic grasp. Credit the Merengues, they’ve responded and find themselves in the Copa del Rey final, and Champions League semi-finals now. Having lost the last 2 Clasico’s, they had to overcome an 0–1 loss in the first leg at home vs Barcelona. Not only did they overcome it, but they did so in style, embarrassing their arch rivals 4–0 in Camp Nou. In the Champions Leagues, they put away a streaky Liverpool side 6–2, and a Chelsea team in disarray 4–0. While they’ll be playing their first CdR final in almost a decade(2014 was their last one), it’s a different story in the CL, as they’ll be playing their 11th semi-final…in the last 13 years. The reigning European champions have a special connection with that competition, but it must be said their opponents in the semi-finals present a very formidable challenge. However, given their history, you wouldn’t count out Real Madrid just yet.
4.) ASTON VILLA FC — England
What a hire Unai Emery has been. Villa are undefeated in their last 8 games, and have won 7 of them. Impressively, they’ve kept clean sheets in 6 of those 8 games as well. This hot run now has them in the midst of the battle for European places. A 3–0 dismantling of 4th place Newcastle was a statement victory. Striker Ollie Watkins is in the form of his life, having scored 11 goals in his last 12 league games, no Premier League player has more goal involvements in 2023(nope, not even Erling Haaland). Emery has made Aston Villa a force, and they look destined to book a spot in a European competition for next season.
3.) BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN — Germany
Bayer 04 were in 16th place in the Bundesliga when Xabi Alonso took over his first professional football managerial job. The gamble paid off, as Bayer now find themselves in 6th place, and in the Europa League semi-finals. They’re undefeated since the 19th of February, as they’ve won 9 games and drawn 3 games since. A surprise win vs Bayern spelled the end of Julian Nagelsmann’s tenure in Bavaria, and the recent win vs Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League has set Alonso up for a meeting vs his former coach Jose Mourinho, and his current side Roma. German wonderkid Florian Wirtz has picked up where he left off last year before suffering an unfortunate ACL tear, contributing 4 goals and 8 assists across 18 appearances in the league and UEL. Their young right side has been lethal with winger Moussa Diaby chipping in with 12 goals and 7 assists in 33 games and wingback Jeremie Frimpong has been surprisingly proficient with 9 goals and 7 assists in 34 games. The tie vs Roma will be yet another test for Xabi Alonso and his young team, but they’ll surely be up for it. This has been a bright year for Alonso and the Bayer youngsters which could very well end with them raising the Europa League.
2.) CLUB ATLETICO DE MADRID — Spain
Unlike the last two clubs, Atletico are not bearing the fruits of a new manager transforming their fortunes. On the contrary, Diego Simeone is the longest tenured manager in the top 5 European Leagues. He’s just about seen it all, including calls for Atleti to move on from the man who truly transformed them into a big player on the continent. Atletico saw Real and Barcalona pull away domestically early, crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, but now Los Colchoneros have hit their stride. Their last loss was in January, although it was admittedly a tough one, as it was their local rivals Real knocking them out of the Copa del Rey. However, Atleti has won 9 and drawn 2 in their following 11 games(have won 6 straight now) and now sit in 3rd place in La Liga, just 2 points behind Real Madrid. Their defense has been the strong one associated with Simeone’s side, and Griezmann has been the best player in La Liga this season. Now back in a Champions League place after a season that has been bumpy at times, they’ll continue to fight for second place, and hope this form carries over to next year.
- ) MANCHESTER CITY FC — England
In front of us has been the mythical ‘run-in City’. They’ve seemingly hit 6th gear as the season slowly approaches it’s close and it’s a scary sight. Domestically, they haven’t lost in over 2 months(February 5th vs Tottenham). Arsenal must feel the breathing down their necks, with City only 3 points behind them after 30 games, carrying the superior goal difference. In the FA Cup, they went through to the semi-finals in style, as Pep Guardiola beat his former captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley 6–0. In the Champions League, Thomas Tuchel was hit with a rude reintroduction to the competition, as his Bayern team were outplayed and beaten 3–0. With a treble still very much possible, the sky blue machine seem to have hit their stride at the perfect time. Their next league encounter vs leaders Arsenal may well decide the title. In the Champions League, they meet Real Madrid in the semi-finals for the second year running, but they hope to get a different outcome this season. City proved they can suffer a bit in the second leg vs Bayern, and they hope the presence of Erling Haaland can mark the difference as the Cityzens seek that mythical first UCL trophy in their history.
