The 5 best clubs in European football in the past decade is based on two important factors current form and cumulative performances in history within ten years. it is evident that at least one Italian club will reach the semis, hardly a surprise the two previous serie A champions both Milan clubs and league leaders Napoli’s competitiveness have lifted their level towards the summit of European football. from the other five quarter finalists four of them make up the top five of the past decade and all five mentioned would have been in the quarter finals if not for the reason that they played against each other at the earlier round. In the semi finals it is a battle between Real Madrid and Manchester City with the winner battling with the winner of the Milan derby in the finals.
Barca 2015 champion league winners are no longer in this list they have failed to reach the knockout stages in succession and also performed woefully in the Europa league, while the team with arguably the best finishers in the world PSG(Messi, Mbappe both played in the finals of the world cup and scooped all the individual awards, then Neymar, he equaled PELE as the most prolific scorer in Brazil’s history)although they reached the finals in 2020 the Parisians have not been as consistent as the top 5.
The 5 best clubs are
Manchester City
The only team in this category without the UCL at the beginning of the season they started with aplomb making football observers and tactical connoisseur wonder how they could be stopped until Liverpool became the first of the season to inflict defeat and unravel the best way to beat Manchester city.
they will fancy their chances if they can overcome Bayern then real Madrid in the semis, the finals will provide a less difficult opposition theoretically. it will be a fascinating journey. They are seeking to win the treble and are in commanding position, yet to taste defeat in Europe and have a very decent chance against Madrid.
Liverpool.
They sit above City because of pedigree 3 final appearances and a win in the all English final of 2019, despite losing to City in their recent domestic confrontation. arguably the Reds could have been in the last eight if they had faced any other opponent apart from Madrid that have knocked them out in the past three consecutive seasons, their see saw form also has not helped. as at last season they were in the race to win an unprecedented quadruple but in hindsight it was impossible the detailed analysis was done in Liverpool’s quadruple a bridge too far.
hope they can rebuild and be title challengers next season.
Chelsea.
The blues are in this position ahead of Liverpool because of their consistency, they are the former best club in the world were defeated by Real Madrid, their richly assembled stars like Liverpool will need to rebuild after failing to reach their best, they have no guarantee of European football next season.
Bayern Munich
The best team in the champions league on current form alone. when they are in this kind of form and confidence they reach the finish line. but the Germans have too much difficult enemies in front of them and have slightly dropped in performance. on paper are the best club but the others are capable of providing an upset. City provided that reality check, the Bavarians were ruthlessly dumped out and will have another opportunity next season.
Real Madrid
The kings of European football, no one dares bet against them, 14 titles with the closest Milan with just 7 even when not at their best they still find a way, 4 titles from 5, the manner of last year’s win when they overcame the three best English clubs plus PSG defied logic. They are exceptionally experienced and rarely lose when they reach the finals.
