Real Madrid leapfrog Barcelona at top of European rankings after Champions League and La Liga wins
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 06/06/2017 at 13:28 GMT
Real Madrid have moved to the top of the Euro Club Index.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Champions League glory in Cardiff
Image credit: Getty Images
The ranking, which is compiled by Gracenote Sports and takes into account clubs’ results over a four-year period, has seen Barcelona fall to second behind their biggest rivals, with Atletico Madrid making it three Spanish clubs in the top four.
The Key Movers And Shakers:
- FC Barcelona lost their number one position in the Euro Club Index ranking this season to Spanish rivals Real Madrid.
- Chelsea and Napoli are now ranked among Europe’s best 10 clubs, at the expense of Arsenal and Benfica.
- Chelsea are England’s highest ranked club, taking that honour from Manchester City.
- French champions AS Monaco improved the most of any team beginning the season in Europe’s top-100.
- Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig gained more Euro Club Index rating points than any other club.
- Spain’s La Liga is still Europe’s strongest competition, ahead of Germany’s Bundesliga and England’s Premier League.
- There are 16 Bundesliga teams in the Euro Club Index top-100, more than any other league.
Other English clubs - Spurs catching Arsenal
Arsenal dropped out of the top 10 but are two places (11th) above bitter North London rivals Tottenham.
"There is very little difference between Arsenal and Tottenham in terms of rating points on the ranking," said head of analysis at Gracenote Simon Gleave.
"Arsenal's consistency over the past seasons means that they have remained above Tottenham.
"But another season like this one and Spurs will overtake."
Leicester, meanwhile, were placed 48th after being the last English team standing in the Champions League, while Europa League winners Manchester United were 16th.
How does it work?
Teams gain points depending on the result of the matches they play – domestically (including cups) and in Europe – but the number of points depends on the gulf between the sides: e.g. Chelsea beating (bottom side) Sunderland at home is worth a lot less than if Crystal Palace beat the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
The most recent campaign carries an increased weighting of about two-thirds in the rankings compared with the previous three seasons.
There is also a bonus points for an entire league if one club performs well in European competition.
Like Real Madrid?
Get more at www.madridistanews.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement