Which team is the best in Europe right now?
As the reigning holders of the Champions League and soon-to-be-crowned winners of the Premier League, the vast majority of football fans would probably say that Liverpool currently deserve that title.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side will not be able to defend their Champions League crown following a surprise defeat to Atletico Madrid in this season’s Round of 16.
Does this mean another team should now be considered the best in Europe? Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City, perhaps?
Well, UEFA’s latest club coefficient rankings have emerged and they’re, well, rather interesting shall we say.
Here’s how the club coefficients are decided, per UEFA’s website: ‘The club coefficients are based on the results of clubs competing in the five previous seasons of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The rankings determine the seeding of each club in relevant UEFA competition draws.’
Remember, it’s based on the past FIVE seasons - not just this one.
For more in-depth details about UEFA’s club coefficients, click HERE.
Let’s look at 20-11 (click the link at the bottom of this page for 10-1)...
20. Benfica
Winners of the Portuguese league in four of the past five seasons, Benfica are currently level on points at the top of their domestic league with the next team on this list.
19. FC Porto
One of Portuguese football’s biggest clubs, FC Porto’s last major European trophy was the 2010-11 Europa League.
18. Shakhtar Donetsk
Winners of the UEFA Cup in 2009, Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are hoping to go all the way in this season’s Europa League.
17. Lyon
Lyon finished second in their Champions League group this season and sealed a surprise 1-0 victory over Juventus in their Round of 16 first leg.
16. Napoli
Currently sixth in the Serie A table, Napoli were drawn to face Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16 and drew 1-1 with the Catalan giants in their first-leg clash.
15. AS Roma
Champions League semi-finalists in 2018, AS Roma are competing in this season’s Europa League and will face Sevilla in the Round of 16 when the competition resumes in August.
14. Chelsea
Last season’s Europa League winners, Chelsea have a mountain to climb in order to stay in this season’s Champions League after losing their Round of 16 first leg 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich.
13. Tottenham
Still adjusting to life under Jose Mourinho, Tottenham reached the 2019 Champions League final but are unlikely to progress to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition after losing their Round of 16 first leg 4-0 at home to RB Leipzig.
12. Borussia Dortmund
One of Europe’s most exciting young sides, Borussia Dortmund were unfortunate to lose 3-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in this season’s Champions League Round of 16.
11. Sevilla
Currently third in La Liga, behind Spain’s big two, Sevilla will go head-to-head with Roma when the Europa League resumes.
Click here to view: The top 20 clubs in Europe right now (10-1)