The Champions League for the 2025-26 season is set to continue next week, featuring 16 teams in the playoffs vying for eight spots in the knockout stage slated to commence in March. Prominent teams like Arsenal and Bayern Munich are currently excelling, while other clubs are also eager to make their mark in this esteemed tournament. Here’s how the teams stack up in this week’s power rankings.
1. Arsenal (–)
Mikel Arteta’s squad is arguably the top team in Europe this season, showcasing their prowess with eight consecutive league victories. With a focus now shifting to the Premier League and the EFL Cup, Arsenal leads the table by six points and looks to secure at least one trophy this season, highlighted by an upcoming EFL Cup final against Manchester City.
2. Bayern Munich (–)
Bayern Munich stands as a formidable rival to Arsenal, recently holding a solid lead in the Bundesliga over Borussia Dortmund. Talented players like Harry Kane, who boasts an impressive 38 goals in 33 appearances, are contributing greatly to the team’s success, which would be further solidified by a Champions League triumph.
3. PSG (–)
Paris Saint-Germain has demonstrated notable improvement, currently topping Ligue 1. Following a rocky first half of the season, they showcased their return to form with a commanding 5-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille.
4. Barcelona (–)
Barcelona continues to perform admirably, sitting atop La Liga and making their way to the Champions League’s top eight. They have already secured the Spanish Super Cup and are now semi-finalists in the Copa del Rey, peaking at a crucial point in the season.
5. Inter Milan (+1)
Inter has shown significant progress under Cristian Chivu, moving ahead of AC Milan as they gear up for their final matches of the season. They have an important showdown against Juventus at San Siro this Saturday—one that could define their domestic and European ambitions.
6. Manchester City (-1)
City has not exhibited the same dominance of previous seasons, struggling with inconsistency. While they remain capable of defeating leading European teams, their unpredictability poses challenges for manager Pep Guardiola as he seeks silverware this season.
7. Real Madrid (–)
Under Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid appears revitalized, yet questions remain about their potential in the coming months. Despite challenges earlier in the season, Kylian Mbappé is in exceptional form, being a significant asset with his 38 goals this season.
8. Chelsea (–)
New manager Liam Rosenior has quickly turned things around for Chelsea, positioning them fifth in the Premier League, just behind Manchester United. The club remains optimistic about possibly securing a trophy this season.
9. Atletico Madrid (+1)
Despite tumultuous times at Atletico, they strive to remain competitive in both La Liga and the Champions League. Recent acquisition Ademola Lookman has already made an impact, scoring on his debut and possibly brightening the team’s future under Simeone.
10. Liverpool (-1)
This season has not been Liverpool’s best, as they hold third place in the league, trailing Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Their recent defeat to Manchester City adds to a series of complications that could affect their performance in the upcoming knockout rounds.
11. Atalanta (–)
Atalanta has shown signs of improvement under Raffaele Palladino after a rocky start to the season. Unfortunately, they fell short of the Champions League’s top eight, now facing Borussia Dortmund in the playoffs.
12. Juventus (+1)
This week is particularly critical for Luciano Spalletti and Juventus, who are set to face Inter at San Siro. Following a recent draw with Lazio, they seek to enhance their Serie A standings, bolstered by USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie’s impressive performances.
13. Newcastle (-1)
Newcastle’s upcoming playoff against Qarabag will reveal much about their capabilities entering the knockout rounds, although positioning in the Premier League has been disappointing, currently sitting in 12th.
14. Borussia Dortmund (–)
Trailing by six points to Bayern, Dortmund is the sole contender attempting to keep pace with the Bundesliga leaders, though it remains a difficult pursuit.
15. Sporting CP (–)
Their Monday match against Porto will provide insight into their aspirations for the Portuguese title.
16. Tottenham (–)
Tottenham finished fourth in the league but continues to struggle in the Premier League. With only seven victories from 25 matches, it may be time to reevaluate manager Thomas Frank’s future.
17. Galatasaray (–)
Expectations were higher for Galatasaray as they prepare to face Juventus in the playoffs. Although the Italian team is favored, Galatasaray possesses players capable of surprising.
18. Bayer Leverkusen (–)
After starting off under Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed after just two games, Bayer is now better positioned heading into their playoff against Olympiakos.
19. AS Monaco (–)
Monaco has endured a challenging season and is keen to regroup under a new coach soon.
20. Benfica (–)
Jose Mourinho’s recent success against Real Madrid has propelled Benfica into the Champions League’s top 24 teams, although they are poised for a tougher matchup this time against Arbeloa’s squad.
21. Galaburg (–)
Galaburg has been a pleasant surprise, showcasing remarkable results that have proven the effectiveness of their new format as they advance to the playoffs.
22. Club Brugge (–)
If they maintain their current league performance, Club Brugge may struggle against Atletico Madrid, who are also underwhelming.
23. Olympiakos (–)
The matchup against Bayer Leverkusen isn’t ideal, but they remain determined despite not being favorites.
24. Bodo/Glimt (–)
Bodo/Glimt’s success in reaching this stage isn’t surprising, but facing Inter in the playoffs presents a challenging scenario.
The Eliminated Teams
- Olympique Marseille
- Pathos
- Union SG
- PSV
- Athletic Club
- Naples
- FC Copenhagen
- Ajax
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Slavia Prague
- Villarreal
- Kairat
Fan Take: This week’s power rankings highlight the competitive landscape of European football as clubs gear up for crucial playoff matches. For soccer fans, the unfolding drama of the Champions League not only determines a tournament champion but also influences the future trajectories of these storied clubs.
