Top 25 - April 6

The Europa League has been maligned since its creation, and many big clubs do not take the competition seriously when they enter it. But when you look at the teams in the competition, compared to the Champions League, it is hard to justify giving the trophy winner heaps of praise. The Champions League contains the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, arguably the top two sides in the world, Bayern, the biggest club in Germany and host of this year's final, and Chelsea, a yearly contender in England with a squad full of depth and experience. No team in the Europa League is within thirteen points of the top spot in their respective league, and Athletic (while they have played very well in Europe) is not even in the top half of the table. I don't like to see the competition being watered down by teams playing weak squads, but there is a huge gap in talent between the two European trophies.

Rankings for this week:

1 (1) FC Barcelona (ESP)
2 (2) Real Madrid CF (ESP)
3 (3) FC Bayern Munich (GER)
4 (5) Manchester United FC (ENG)
5 (4) Manchester City FC (ENG)
6 (6) Borussia Dortmund (GER)
7 (7) AC Milan (ITA)
8 (8) Juventus FC (ITA)
9 (10) Chelsea FC (ENG)
10 (9) Paris St. Germain FC (FRA)
11 (11) Arsenal FC (ENG)
12 (12) Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
13 (14) Schalke 04 (GER)
14 (13) SL Benfica (POR)
15 (15) Montpellier HSC (FRA)
16 (16) FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS)
17 (18) LOSC Lille (FRA)
18 (22) Newcastle United FC (ENG)
19 (17) SSC Napoli (ITA)
20 (20) CSKA Moscow (RUS)
21 (21) Olympique Lyon (FRA)
22 (19) Borussia Monchengladbach (GER)
23 (23) SS Lazio (ITA)
24 (NR) AFC Ajax Amsterdam (NED)
25 (NR) FC Porto (POR)


Dropped from rankings: FC Inter Milan (24), APOEL FC (25)


Notes:


1-10: Manchester United move ahead of Manchester City after putting themselves in the driver's seat for a twentieth Premier League title. It hasn't been a vintage United season, but they have been the most consistent throughout the season, characteristically grinding out results late in games. City have looked like favorites all season, and with the depth and talent of the squad, it was easy to see why. David Silva's dip in form has affected them far more than it should, as their results away from home have been poor for the last month, and they dropped their first points of the season at home on Saturday against Sunderland. It's difficult to see City retaking first place at this point.. Chelsea continue to climb after a below-par aggregate victory over Benfica to advance to a first UCL semi-final in three years. Unfortunately for the Blues, it is Barcelona who await them yet again. Chelsea certainly have a chance against the Catalans but it will be very difficult, especially after seeing Benfica dominate possession for long periods of each game. However, AC Milan exposed some weaknesses in Barca's back line, but simply didn't take their chances. Chelsea will have to put in two of their best performances of the season if they want to reach their second final.. The pressure is growing on Carlo Ancelotti's PSG. Currently a point behind leaders Montpellier with an extra game played, an unthinkable title defeat by the minnows now looks like it could become reality. The French league has been the most competitive league from top to bottom this season, and there are likely a few more twists left in the tale. A quick note - after competing in the Champions League last season, Auxerre now prop up the table. It is very difficult to play consistently in France.


11-25: After eight straight wins in the league, Ajax join the ranks, straight in the thick of a six-team title race. Six Dutch sides sit within four points of each other at the top of the Eredivisie with six games remaining. Ajax are in pole position to secure the title this season, but with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen linked with moves in the summer, the club could be rebuilding yet again.. Newcastle have refused to fade. Another tight victory over Swansea takes the Magpies temporarily into fifth place in the table, just two points off of the elusive last Champions League place. Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been a lethal pair up top, and Newcastle do not have a difficult run-in. The UCL place is not out of the question.. Lille have regained the form that earned them the self-titled nickname "the French Barcelona." The side will have plenty of talent next year even after Eden Hazard's inevitable departure, and they should be more equipped to compete in Europe. They disappointed in a weak group in this year's Champions League.. Lazio face Napoli on Saturday in a crucial game in the race for third in Serie A. Napoli and Udinese trail Lazio by three points with eight games left. Napoli have struggled since their UCL loss to Chelsea, and a loss in Rome could end their hopes of returning to the competition.. Porto are top of the Portuguese league by a point over arch-rivals Benfica and two points over Braga. Porto have finally regained their stride after a poor early season run following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas. The league title is an exciting three horse race this year, and despite being a point behind, I still believe Benfica are favorites. Despite being thirteen points behind, Sporting are the only Portuguese side left in Europe.