Champions League power rankings: Every team ranked as PSG and Barcelona set for epic
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will head into next week's Champions League clash on the back of statement away performances and back-to-back victories. Holders PSG produced a first-half masterclass before holding on top beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad while Barcelona were among the goals once again as Lamine Yamal starred in a 4-1 comeback win at Galatasaray.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Aston Villa have also started the Champions League with consecutive wins and Unai Emery's side enter the top 10 of our rankings at the expense of Manchester United, whose difficult season continued with defeat at Atletico Madrid. We compiled our 36-team power rankings by combining team's previous performance in the Champions League, their results in the competition so far, and the likelihood of them going all the way this season.
Agree or disagree with our standings? Let us know and have your say in the comments below.
Paris Saint-Germain Results: 6-1 vs Slovan Bratislava, 4-2 v Man City Fixtures: Barcelona (h), Villarreal (a), Roma (h), Aston Villa (a), Como (a), Galatasaray (h) There were two sides to PSG's display in the six-goal thriller against Manchester City but holy moly was that first halfone of the most impressive performancesthe Champions League has seen in recent years. It reinforces the idea that Luis Enrique's team know how to peak at the right time, as they have proved in becoming back-to-back defending champions.
PSG are still the team to beat, and will be even if they slip outside of the top eight of the league phase for the third season in a row. Could we see another statement next week at home to Barcelona?
Barcelona (+1 from 3) Results: 5-1 v Feyenoord, 4-1 v Galatasaray Fixtures: PSG (a), Aston Villa (h), Sabah (a), Manchester City (h), Sporting (a), Como (h) Yep, Barcelona still cannot stop scoring, with their comeback victory over Galatasaray taking Hansi Flick's side to an astonishing 43 goals in their first 10 games of the season. Lamine Yamal's outrageous turn and close control for his assist for Anthony Gordon was the pick of the goals from Istanbul and there is little doubt that Barcelona are Europe's in-form side after 10 consecutive wins in all competitions.
Whether the defence holds up come the knockout stages is another question, but for now Barcelona's attack is unstoppable, inspiring confidence that they could compete for a first Champions League crown since 2015. Next week's trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain already looks like a mouthwatering clash.
Arsenal (-1 from 2) Results: 1-0 vs Napoli, 3-0 v Lille Fixtures: Bayern Munich (a), Slavia Prague (a), Borussia Dortmund (h), Real Madrid (h), Real Betis (a), Sabah (h) With two wins from two it has been a typically assured start from last season's runners-up, who are determined to go one better after their heartbreaking defeat on penalties to PSG. It remains to be seen if Mikel Arteta's side can take the next step against a heavyweight side in the business end of the Champions League, but their unrivalled squad depth means the Gunners have a very good chance of finishing one of the top two spots in this season's group phase.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were summoned off the bench to spark Arsenal into life for the 3-0 win over Lille; flashes of style from the Gunners are to be welcomed, but are they still missing the firepower of a PSG or Barcelona? Man City (+1 from 5) Results: 2-0 v Porto, 2-4 v PSG Fixtures: AEK Athens (h), Leipzig (a), Napoli (h), Barcelona (a), Lens (a), Sporting (a) No one knows what Manchester City's season from here is going to look like.