Our Power Rankings table is back for another edition as Bayern Munich move back to the top spot.
📈 Power Rankings: Man City return, Bayern back on top
10. Real Madrid ⬇️ (last week: 3)
What a difference a week makes.
Back-to-back Bernabeu defeats and a run that now reads as just two wins in eight games. The pressure has ramped up on Xabi Alonso, who appears to be clinging on to his job in the Spanish capital. After much optimism in the summer, their season is in danger of unraveling.
9. Lens ⬆️ (last week: 10)
The surprise Ligue 1 leaders just keep chugging along. A 2-1 win at Nantes at the weekend ensured Lens stayed at the summit of French football, a point ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s now seven wins in their last eight games. They couldn’t topple the mighty PSG, could they?
Lens is on top of Ligue 1, I can’t hear you👂 pic.twitter.com/FydcxLQmHC
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 10, 2025
8. Atletico Madrid (last week: 9)
A mixed bag for Atletico Madrid this week.
The Spanish side slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, a result that leaves the Rojiblancos nine points off the title pace.
However, a come-from-behind win at PSV has moved Diego Simeone’s side within touching distance of the Champions League’s knockout rounds. Currently in the top eight, Atleti have their fate in their own hands.
7. PSG ⬇️ (last week: 6)
Few will be overly concerned by PSG’s start to the season, with the club’s quadruple campaign only really kicking into gear after the turn of the new year last season.
Currently second in Ligue 1 and third in the Champions League, things could be far worse for a side that is yet to reach their top level.
6. Inter Milan ⬇️ (last week: 5)
Inter Milan are one of three teams split by just a point at the top of Serie A, with a 4-0 thrashing of Como underlining their title credentials this season.
Inter are the leading scorers in Serie A this season by a distance, but blanked during defeat to Liverpool in Europe in midweek. Still nestled in the top eight, Inter need to rediscover their form after successive Champions League losses.
5. Aston Villa ⬆️ (last week: 7)
Aston Villa issued a statement at the weekend after a last-gasp win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Villans scored with the last kick of the game at Villa Park, to move within three points of the table toppers. Villa are flying, with nine wins across their last 10 league games. A surprise title challenge could be on.
4. Manchester City 
Manchester City catapult themselves back into the Power Rankings mix on the back of four consecutive wins.
A high-flying Sunderland side was ruthlessly dispatched in the Premier League at the weekend, before Pep Guardiola’s side won at Real Madrid in Europe. City appear to be getting better and better in an ominous sign to their rivals.
Since 2016/17, when Pep Guardiola took charge of the Citizens, only one club has won multiple away games against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Manchester City. 👏 pic.twitter.com/uyTcbgdjTK
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 10, 2025
3. Barcelona ⬆️ (last week: 4)
Barcelona have also won four on the bounce in all competitions, after surviving scares to beat Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt this week.
An eight-goal thriller in Betis ended 5-3 in Barcelona’s favour, with Ferran Torres scoring a hat-trick. Despite an abundance of attacking talent, it was Jules Kounde who was the unlikely hero in midweek.
The Frenchman became the first Barcelona player ever to score two headed goals in a Champions League game, in a 2-1 comeback win against Frankfurt.
2. Arsenal ⬇️ (last week: 2)
Arsenal’s lead in the Premier League has been slashed to two points, following that aforementioned loss at in-form Aston Villa. The Gunners have now failed to win at Liverpool, Chelsea, or Aston Villa this season, raising question marks about their big-game mentality.
In Europe, things look far rosier. A 3-0 win at Club Brugge continued the club’s perfect record in this season’s Champions League.
😳 Six wins, one goal conceded.
Can anyone stop Arsenal? #UCL pic.twitter.com/5yqnm0sTpU
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 10, 2025
1. Bayern Munich ⬆️ (last week: 2)
Bayern Munich return to the top of the Power Rankings table.
A potential banana skin at Stuttgart was navigated with ease, as Harry Kane came off the bench to score a hat-trick in a 5-0 rout. Bayern beat Sporting Lisbon in midweek to continue their winning run, bouncing back from Joshua Kimmich’s own goal to claim a 3-1 win at the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians have been brilliant so far this season.
Read – Champions League Awards – Madueke’s missile, Charles’ clinic
See Also – Champions League Team of the Week – Madueke, Kounde, Rios
