It's been a crazy couple of weeks in football all around, with one-sided games but also the most bizarre of losses. Here are the Middle of December Club Power Rankings following group stage week 6 in the Champions League.
10. F.C. Porto ( +1 )
Against all odds they qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, and they also lead the Champions League with most points; they currently sit at 16. Furthermore, they remain the number one seed in the Portuguese football league, Primeira Liga. In the Champions League they also displayed their strong attacking style in their win against Galatarsay S.K. in which they won 3-2.
9. Real Madrid ( +3 )
They started the season strong, but then they crumbled under Lopetegui. They went from 1st in La Liga to 5th. But here they are, picking up the pieces. They qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 as top of their group, and are also 3rd in La Liga, but only 2 points away from 1st and 2nd place. Both La Liga and the Champions league are only really starting, but the Club World Cup is already in its final stages, and Real Madrid is set to play the club Al Ain in the Club World Cup finals, which they have won 4 out of their last 5 times. Their victory over the Kashima Antlers paved their way, and the odds look ever to be in their favor. They won last year, but it remains to be seen if Santiago Solari can lead his team to victory.
8. Chelsea (-1)
7. Arsenal ( +1 )
Despite a 2-0 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, as well as a terrible 3-2 loss to Southampton, the team's performance up to date had been a 22 game undefeated streak, but if they want any chance at reproducing something similar of the sort, Unai Emery is going to have to tweak their once formidable attacking style.
6. Barcelona ( -3 )
Despite a 2-0 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, as well as a terrible 3-2 loss to Southampton, the team's performance up to date had been a 22 game undefeated streak, but if they want any chance at reproducing something similar of the sort, Unai Emery is going to have to tweak their once formidable attacking style.
5. Tottenham ( - )
4. Juventus ( -2 )
A terrible, horrendous loss to Young Boys. A counter attack from the Young Boys that resulted in the Swedish teams second goal was terribly defensed. But yet Dybala started the comeback, with 1, no 2, goals. But Ronaldo's costly offside caused the Dybala's brace,and equalizer, to be voided. Games such as this should not even be happening by teams as respected as The Old Lady, but the Round of 16 may be their chance to start over with a clean slate. Furthermore, they remain dominant in Serie A, and continue to lead the league.
3. Manchester City ( -2 )
2. Liverpool ( +3 )
They have surpassed Manchester City for the lead in the race to win the EPL. They have overtook a team that won the EPL 25 points clear of them (They were 4th), and 19 points clear of second place. They have finally proven themselves better than their English counterparts, but it remains to be seen whether they can prove themselves against international mettle. But first, they clash once more against Manchester United and their new manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, soccer enthusiasts from all over the world anticipate this date - 1/3; the game to decide it all. Manchester City versus Liverpool.
1. Borussia Dortmund ( +2 )
Their defense, offense, play build-up has all been top class. They are the Bundesliga leaders, but they finished as leaders of their Champions League group, Group A, with 13 points. However, the question that needs answering is whether their rankings is rising only because those teams that normally fill the top 3 are falling? But the Champions League is the ultimate way to prove themselves, and even a placement in the final 4 could cement their legitimacy.
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