Footy Power Rankings: Bayern flexes muscles ahead of Real test

Taking into consideration recent domestic and continental results, along with underlying stats, we try to figure out which clubs are among Europe's elite.

1. Bayern Munich (1st in Bundesliga)

Previous rank: 2nd

Another treble under Jupp Heynckes is within reach. The Bundesliga title is wrapped up, and Eintracht Frankfurt - ably handled by Bayern Munich's manager-in-waiting Niko Kovac - is a rank outsider in their DFB-Pokal final meeting. So, you could forgive the Bavarians if much of their focus rests on preparation for the two-legged Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, which begins a week on Tuesday. It should be a tight and riveting affair. - Daniel Rouse

2. Barcelona (1st in La Liga)

Previous rank: 1st

A disastrous second leg at Roma saw Barcelona plummet out of the Champions League, dampening what could be an historic season domestically. The Blaugrana battered Sevilla 5-0 in Saturday's Copa del Rey final and is on course to go unbeaten over a whole La Liga campaign, but the scars from Roma's comeback will take time to heal. Now Barcelona knows how Paris Saint-Germain felt after its own continental heroics last season. - DR

3. Manchester City (1st in Premier League)

Previous rank: 3rd

There is nothing left for Manchester City to play for, but that doesn't stop Pep Guardiola's players from putting on a show. City was floored after a derby-day surrender to Manchester United and Champions League elimination to Liverpool, but responded by overwhelming Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City. The latter match was at home, and saw fans pour onto the pitch to show their appreciation at the final whistle. - DR

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

Previous rank: 6th

An astounding 7-1 thrashing of AS Monaco gave Paris Saint-Germain its latest Ligue 1 title, with Unai Emery's side prying L'Hexagoal out of Monaco's hands with little fuss. Following up with a 3-1 win over Caen in the French Cup semi-final and a 1-0 win over Bordeaux in Ligue 1, it's pretty clear that PSG stands alone in the country. But, it will still rue being eliminated from the Champions League, the one trophy the club is most desperate to claim. - Armen Bedakian

5. Real Madrid (3rd in La Liga)

Previous rank: 4th

It took a controversial penalty to stave off Juventus' massive 3-1 comeback effort in the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final matchup, but Zinedine Zidane's side won't be too concerned with the circumstances surrounding their advancement in the competition. While a 2-1 win over now-relegated Malaga was a nice way to bounce back, Real Madrid continued to drop points with a 1-1 draw to Athletic Bilbao. How will this team respond to Bayern on Wednesday? - AB

6. Manchester United (2nd in Premier League)

Previous rank: 7th

Tottenham couldn't lay a glove on United in the second period of their FA Cup semi-final. Such was United's control in the latter half of that match, it would be a decent bet to capture the trophy in May's showpiece against Chelsea. The answer to Paul Pogba's supposed struggles may have been discovered, as well, simply by fielding minesweeper Ander Herrera. - DR

7. Napoli (2nd in Serie A)

Previous rank: 11th

Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a Scudetto race. Facing the prospect of all but handing the title to Juventus in a head-to-head clash with the Serie A leader, Napoli managed to pull off a dramatic, last-minute 1-0 victory over the Old Lady to cut the gap to just one point at the top of the table. While Napoli is still behind with four matches left, this key win keeps hope alive for Maurizio Sarri's side, while also demoralising a Juventus team that just can't seem to shake off its immediate challenger. - AB.

8. Liverpool (3rd in Premier League)

Previous rank: 8th

Defeating Manchester City is no small feat, particularly when faced with the pressures that come from the Champions League quarter-finals. But, Jurgen Klopp's admirable side persevered nonetheless, downing the Premier League winner 2-1 in the second leg to take a 5-1 aggregate win into the semi-finals. Mohamed Salah deserves plenty of the credit, as the Egyptian matched the league record for goals in a single season with his 31st before claiming the PFA Player of the Year award. - AB

9. Juventus (1st in Serie A)

Previous rank: 5th

Recent results have not been kind to Massimiliano Allegri's side, as Juventus was eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid after conceding a last-gasp penalty in a 3-1 second-leg win. A subsequent 1-1 draw with Crotone opened the door for Napoli to cut the Scudetto race down to one point with a victory at the Allianz Stadium as Juventus once again faltered in the dying embers of the match. Could the Old Lady finish the year without any domestic or continental silverware? - AB.

10. Roma (3rd in Serie A)

Previous rank: N/A

Roma produced one of the greatest performances in the history of the Champions League, overturning a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona to advance to the semi-finals on away goals. As comebacks go, it had everything - even Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas registered on the scoresheet in the second leg, atoning for their own goals in the opening meeting. Can Roma upset the odds in its Liverpool double-header? - DR

11. Lyon (3rd in Ligue 1)

Previous rank: 15th

Without Nabil Fekir to call upon, Lyon started its winning run in domestic play on March 11, unimpressively beating SM Caen 1-0 at home. Since then, Bruno Genesio's men have added a further five league wins to breathe down the neck of Monaco in Ligue 1. Friday marked Fekir's first start since returning from injury, and he netted in a 5-2 rout at Dijon. Fellow goalscorers Memphis Depay and Bertrand Traore have also been impressive. - DR

12. Lazio (4th in Serie A)

Previous rank: 13th

Only PSG, Manchester City, and Bayern have scored more goals across Europe's top five leagues this season, but a susceptible backline means manager Simone Inzaghi has a top-heavy lineup at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio will hope bigger names won't poach Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Luis Alberto, and underrated goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in the summer. - DR

13. PSV Eindhoven (1st in Eredivisie)

Previous rank: 14th

PSV Eindhoven remains unchallenged at the top of the Eredivisie table, and extended its lead ahead of Ajax Amsterdam with a 3-0 win over the second-placed side, a victory that secured the Dutch league title. That PSV has only lost three matches during its regular-season campaign is a testament to the strength and discipline this side has in its ranks, and with just two matches left in the season, the party can now start in Eindhoven. - AB.

14. Arsenal (6th in Premier League)

Previous rank: N/A

Four wins in its last five league matches coupled with a successful home-and-away triumph over CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals has Arsene Wenger's side back in the mix despite sitting well out of the top four in the Premier League. As Wenger prepares to wave goodbye to the Gunners' supporters after faithfully serving the club for 22 years, it is Arsenal that has rightfully emerged as favourite for the European second-tier tournament: Might it be the last trophy the French tactician celebrates in north London? - AB.

15. Lokomotiv Moscow (1st in Russian Premier League)

Previous rank: N/A

Lokomotiv Moscow is just one win away from securing the Russian Premier League title, though it hasn't come as easily as the team would have liked. Yuri Semin's side made short work of Dynamo Moscow with a 4-0 win, but have since been held to a pair of 0-0 draws against Terek Grozny and FC Ufa. Why do they make our rankings? Tottenham and Atletico Madrid each endured a painful few weeks of results, which opened the narrowest of doors for this Russian outfit to squeak through. - AB

On the cusp: Atletico Madrid, Tottenham, Chelsea, AS Monaco, Inter

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)