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The Footy Power Rankings - December 23: Real Madrid still top, City making the climb

Reuters

Every week, we'll attempt to organize the beautiful, chaotic world that is European football. Taking into consideration both domestic and continental form, strength of schedule and underlying statistics, we'll try to figure out which teams can rightfully claim to be Europe's very best. You'll disagree with most of it, of course, but that's part of the fun.

Note: The totals for goals scored and against include both league and European competitions

1. Real Madrid (1st in La Liga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
13-0-2 6-0-0 69 16

Previous Rank: 1st

Ho hum for the recently crowned World Champions - even if the title, and the tournament played to win it, is bogus.

In their last four matches, Carlo Ancelotti's men have continued their swashbuckling ways, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one. Granted, in Ludogorets, Almeria, Cruz Azul and San Lorenzo their recent schedule is about as rough as a roll of Charmin Ultra Soft (thanks, Kobe), but you can only play the teams standing in front of you.

How serene is the atmosphere around the club right now? Pepe is calm enough to be allowed near his teammates without them fearing for their safety:

2. Bayern Munich (1st in Bundesliga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
14-3-0 5-0-1 57 8

Previous Rank: 2nd

In 23 matches this season (league and Champions League) Bayern has conceded only eight goals - three of which came on one strange evening in Manchester.

The Bavarian club is unbeaten in league play and sits 11 points ahead of second-placed Wolfsburg. Dominant.

All of this - or most of it at least - without a group of players that would walk into almost any other team on the planet.

  • Philipp Lahm
  • David Alaba
  • Thiago Alcantara
  • Javi Martinez
  • Holger Badstuber

German efficiency is alive and well, and its epicenter is the Allianz Arena.

Infallible goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was beaten by a nutmeg from Elkin Soto in the club's most recent match - a 2-1 victory over Mainz. If we really want to nitpick, that will suffice:

3. Chelsea (1st in Premier League)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
13-3-1 4-2-0 55 16

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Blues have bounced back nicely from their shocking setback against Newcastle, winning four straight matches (one in the Capital One Cup) and conceding just one goal in that span.

Manager Jose Mourinho is pleased with his side's standing at the top of the league heading into Christmas, and when the Special One is in a good mood, the players can let loose:

Merry Christmas, Chelsea.

4. Barcelona (2nd in La Liga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
12-2-2 5-0-1 56 12

Previous Rank: 4th

The holy trinity is rolling.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each scored in an impressive 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, providing a glimpse of what this attacking trident is capable of when all three men are at their best. It's damn scary.

A 0-0 draw with Getafe was a disappointment. In response, the Catalans took out their frustrations on Huesca and Cordoba, grinding the poor clubs into fine powders and winning both matches with a combined score of 13-1.

Against Cordoba, Messi found the net twice, with each of his goals coming (surprisingly) via his right foot. 

Some are still saying Messi's right foot is "weak." What do you think about that, Leo?

(Courtesy: Daily Mail)

5. Manchester City (2nd in Premier League)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
12-3-2 2-2-2 45 22

Previous Rank: 7th

So, don't look now, but Manchester City has won eight matches on the trot, and passed their latest litmus test by marching into Rome and coming away with a 2-0 victory that has them into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Drawing Barcelona in the Round of 16 is an unenviable position, but with David Silva back from injury and continuing to be his creative self, the Citizens are infinitely more dangerous than they otherwise would be.

Sergio Aguero - who happens to be quite good at scoring goals - is working his way back, too. So is Vincent Kompany. All Manuel Pellegrini wants for Christmas is a healthy squad. If he gets it, look out, world.

6. Atletico Madrid (3rd in La Liga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
11-2-3 4-1-1 45 17

Previous Rank: 5th

After ripping off five consecutive wins in all competitions, Diego Simeone and Co. have tasted victory just once in their last four contests - though that lone win was an impressive 4-1 hammering of Athletic Bilbao in their most recent match.

That's an encouraging sign.

Reports that the club is considering bringing back Fernando Torres, however, are concerning - even if they prove to be untrue. That's how far the Spaniard has slipped.

Even video games recognize that he's long been past his prime:

People who say FIFA is not realistic need to watch this #Torres

7. Paris-Saint Germain (3rd in Ligue 1)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
10-8-1 4-1-1 42 20

Previous Rank: 6th

Zlatan is not impressed by the performance of his meager, inferior teammates.

The Parisien side is winless in three matches, falling to Barcelona in the Champions League - a result which saw them finish second in Group F and subsequently draw Chelsea in the Round of 16 - before losing 1-0 to Guingamp and drawing 0-0 with Montpellier in Ligue 1 action.

Given recent results, it's probably safe to assume that Zlatan will not be showering his teammates with Christmas gifts this year. Then again, he probably wouldn't have done that anyway.

He makes a good point.

8. Juventus (1st in Serie A)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
12-3-1 3-1-2 41 11

Previous Rank: 8th

The goals dried up for the Old Lady prior to a 3-1 victory over Cagliari - who, under the just-fired Zdenek Zeman, approached defense with the same enthusiasm that you have when visiting being dragged to see your in-laws over the holidays.

Juventus found the net just once in three matches (all draws) prior to that win, and while they still look stingy at the back, the concern with the Italian side has always been in attack. Away to Fiorentina and home against Atletico Madrid and the surprising Sampdoria is a difficult spell of fixtures, but the club's inability to create legitimate chances in those matches was more of a concern than the lack of goals.

Beating a bad Cagliari team doesn't change that a whole lot.

Fernando Llorente continues to get the nod ahead of Alvaro Morata because, presumably, he has photos of Massimiliano Allegri in the nude. In truth though, they can't possibly be more frightening than this:

(Courtesy: Reddit)

9. Roma (2nd in Serie A)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
11-3-2 1-2-3 36 25

Previous Rank: 10th

Recapping the year that was in Serie A, La Repubblica columnist Maurizio Crosetti accurately summed up this Roma squad in comparing their title credentials against those of last season.

"Roma were, and are, the only alternative, but still a long way off..."

The club is just three points behind Juventus in the table heading into the Christmas break, but - likely thanks to the nature of their Champions League exit - seem to be well off the pace of the best sides on the continent.

Squeaking by a 10-man Genoa - thanks only to the brilliance of Radja Nainggolan - and not being able to defeat a 10-man Milan, doesn't help that look.

Still, with only a three-point gap, Roma are ensuring that "there's no really time to relax for Juventus."

Check out @tancredipalmeri's new single 'Get Espressino' if you get the chance. Sound of the summer.

(H/T for the translated quote: Paolo Bandini)

10. Arsenal (6th in Premier League)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
7-6-4 4-1-1 45 29

Previous Rank: 13th

Since we last spoke, Aaron Ramsey did this against Galatasaray:

What a goal of Ramsey! #WeAreSoccerAddicts #UCL GET US TO 70K

Then Olivier Giroud did this against Newcastle:

(Courtesy: Sportsnet)

Arsenal, always the aesthetician.

Just don't ask them to defend late leads, because then things get ugly.

11. FC Porto (2nd in Primeira Liga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
9-4-1 4-2-0 47 11

Previous Rank: 9th

Porto is better than Benfica, despite their 2-0 loss in the latest installment of O Classico. I still firmly believe that. 

12. Southampton (5th in Premier League)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
9-2-6 - 28 13

Previous Rank: 12th

A run of four consecutive losses in the Premier League - and five overall - was mercifully put to an end this past weekend. The Saints crushed Everton 3-0 at St Mary's. It was an impressive result, despite the fact that Everton have proven to be the opposite of a good team so far this season.

Graziano Pelle scored his eighth goal of the season. The win came despite the absences of Dusan Tadic, Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (coach's decision). 

The Saints' depth - their greatest weakness and major point of criticism - excelled against a team considered a contender for a European place.

13. David De Gea Manchester United (3rd in Premier League)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
9-5-3 - 30 18

Previous Rank: 14th

Manchester United are up to third in the Premier League, which, inconceivable as it seemed early in the year, has people asking if the Red Devils have what it takes to win another EPL title.

If, by some miracle of humanity, Louis van Gaal does lead his side to silverware this season, he will have one man to thank:

Funny, the photo features about the same number shots that De Gea faces in your average match.

As illustrated in a wonderful piece by Michael Caley, prior to the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa this weekend, United were greatly exceeding what the numbers suggest they should be doing.

Note: xG = Expected Goals, which you can (and should) read about here.

14. Marseille (1st in Ligue 1)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
13-2-4 - 38 17

Previous Rank: 11th

For this week at least, Marseille's position on the list gets the now (and henceforth) honorary Sol Campbell treatment for biggest slide.

15. Benfica (1st in Primeira Liga)

League Record European Record Goals Scored Goals Against
12-1-1 1-2-3 33 13

Previous Rank: NA

Benfica recorded their marquee result of the season this past weekend, defeating rivals Porto in the aforementioned O Classico, thanks to a pair of goals from Lima.

The victory has the Eagles six points ahead of their rivals at the top of the table. The Brazilian striker outlined what his club needs to do in order to maintain that place:

"We were leaders and were trying to hold onto the top spot. Now we have to keep going with the same work ethic, unity and humility," said Lima. "Nothing is won yet, and that should be the spirit. This will be the spirit until the end, facing every game like the classic."

Keep going like that, and Benfica will begin their ascent up this table as well.

Dropped Out: Wolfsburg

On the Cusp: Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli, Ajax

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