Footy Power Rankings - October: Bayern Munich in a class of its own

On the first Monday of each month, 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.

Note: Stats taken from league and European competition only; domestic cup tournaments not included

1. Bayern Munich (1st in Bundesliga)

Robert Lewandowski - who has 12 goals in his last four matches - is probably better than half of the teams on this list all by himself, and he's surrounded by 10 other men who are either among, or in many cases, considered the very best at their respective position. It's entirely unfair, and its reflected in the numbers. The German juggernaut just steamrolled Borussia Dortmund - a club that is comfortably one of the best on the continent. Not beat, not squeaked by - obliterated into a fine pulp. Bayern Munich is the best team in Europe, and its not up for discussion.

You could say Bayern is in the driver's seat for this season's most prestigious club title. (I regret nothing).

2. Barcelona (4th in La Liga)

Most will point to the absence of Lionel Messi as the reason for Barcelona's two-match blip - the Blaugrana needed a late comeback to top Bayer Leverkusen before being felled by Sevilla this weekend - but in truth, the Catalan giant is still humming along, dominating opponents in a manner that we have become accustomed to in recent years. The only issue, of course, are the goals. Would Barca be scoring more with Messi? Well, probably; the best player the game has ever seen can have that sort of impact on your team. But the fact of the matter is that luck is a real thing that exists, and, while still creating myriad chances without the little Argentine, Barcelona isn't quite getting the bounces right now. Exhibit A:

That will change. The mystical force field that kept that ball out of the net won't be around forever.

3. Real Madrid (2nd in La Liga)

Cristiano Ronaldo is scoring goals - 10 in nine matches this season - Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale have recovered from recent injuries, and Keylor Navas is reminding everyone that Los Blancos didn't really need David De Gea. The only legitimate concern for Rafa Benitez is the status of James Rodriguez, who aggravated his thigh injury in training and could be set for a further 2-to-3 weeks on the sidelines. When the Colombian returns to the squad, his presence - along with emergence of Casemiro in a holding role - will give Madrid a midfield that can rival the talent of its attacking trio.

4. Manchester City (1st in Premier League)

Kevin De Bruyne looks like he has spent his entire career at the Etihad, such has been the seamless nature of his transition to City. David Silva remains a wizard, Raheem Sterling offers an electric outlet that the club lacked last season, and oh yeah, Sergio Aguero is out here scoring five goals in 20 minutes (while not at 100 percent). Recent dip in form be damned: Manchester City is still the best team in the Premier League.

5. Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1)

Undefeated in all competitions thus far this season, Paris Saint-Germain now has Rihanna on its side. French oxygen > American Oxygen.

6. Borussia Dortmund (2nd in Bundesliga)

Thomas Tuchel has reinvigorated Borussia Dortmund this season, taking the framework put in place by Jurgen Klopp and pumping it full of steroids to create a fast-paced, high-pressing machine that is among the most enjoyable to watch in Europe. Everything Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang touches is turning to gold at the moment, and if it weren't for the existence of Bayern Munich, this would be the German club getting all of the headlines. Alas, the Bavarian side remains the undisputed best in the Bundesliga, and Dortmund is powerless to change that.

7. Arsenal (2nd in Premier League)

One of the club's starting centre backs can't run anymore, which, on the surface, is a big issue. But with Mesut Ozil's unparalleled spacial awareness opening up spaces for the electric, indefatigable Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners will never be out of any contest. There will always be the occasional defensive debacle, but the attacking players are there to consistently get them out of trouble.

8. Juventus (12th in Serie A)

Juventus is doing its best impression of Borussia Dortmund, circa 2014-15. The Old Lady has opened the season with a modest eight points from seven Serie A matches, a tally that belies how well the club, littered with new faces, has played early in the campaign. As Michael Caley of the Washington Post points out, Juventus has greatly under-performed its expected goal tally thus far - a statistic that "estimates the quality of shooting chances based on location on the pitch, the type of assist pass, the kind of attack leading to the shot, as well as a variety of other factors." Powered by Sami Khedira, that tide started to turn over the past week.

Should he, and the rest of the players currently in the infirmary, remain healthy going forward, the Old Lady will rocket up the league table.

9. Atletico Madrid (5th in La Liga)

Atletico Madrid continues to be football's equivalent of Rodney Dangerfield. After fighting back to earn a draw against bitter rival Real over the weekend, all of the talk was of the latter throwing away the result, with little focus on the part the former played to ensure that happened. Show some respect, people.

10. Manchester United (3rd in Premier League)

Wayne Rooney, we need to talk about this ...

As for the rest of the team, assuming Morgan Schneiderlin is on the pitch, the Red Devils will be just fine. The Frenchman's status as the lynchpin around which Louis van Gaal's lineup is crafted was made plain for everyone to see on Sunday, when a Schneiderlin-less United was ripped apart by Arsenal.

11. Sevilla (12th in La Liga)

That reaction when everyone sees that you beat Barcelona ...

12. Tottenham (8th in Premier League)

It's amazing what a team is capable of when the manager decides to actually play his best players. Do more of that, Mauricio.

13. Valencia (9th in La Liga)

With some high-profile opponents on the schedule over the next month, we'll learn an awful lot about Valencia in short order. For now though, we're buying what Nuno is selling.

14. Roma (4th in Serie A)

The Giallorossi are intent on keeping prognosticators on their toes early in the year. A draw with Barcelona (procured through a 65-yard goal and some luck, but procured nonetheless) was followed up by a draw and loss to Sassuolo and Sampdoria, respectively. The capital-based club scored nine goals in recent wins over Carpi and Palermo, but sandwiched those results with a stunning loss to BATE Borisov in the Champions League.

Inconsistency, thy name is Roma.

15. FC Porto (1st in Primeira Liga)

The Portuguese powerhouse has passed its two greatest tests of the campaign so far without obstacle, defeating both Benfica and Chelsea. In a normal season, beating Chelsea would be considered a legitimate achievement that would warrant a more impressive spot on this list. Of course, beating this year's iteration of the Blues is not something you brag about. Hell, Newcastle almost did it.

On the Cusp: Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, Fiorentina