Ranking the 5 best clubs in Europe right now - January 2022

#3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid CF v Valencia CF - La Liga Santander

Since returning to the Bernabeu for his second stint in the summer of 2021, Carlo Ancelotti has turned Real Madrid’s fortunes around. Thanks to their efficient gameplay, Los Blancos have outperformed major title contenders and are currently sitting atop the La Liga table.

To top it off, Real Madrid have already bagged their first trophy of the season, winning the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia in January itself.

Los Merengues started their year with a disappointing defeat to Getafe away from home. However, over the next 15 days, they bounced back with four impressive wins across all competitions.

First, they beat Alcoyano 1-3 away from home in the Copa del Rey before hammering Valencia 4-1 at home in a La Liga clash. Real Madrid then outscored Barcelona 3-2 in the Spanish Supercopa semi-final. Finally, they beat Athletic Club 2-0 in the summit clash to win the domestic trophy.

Real Madrid will play two more games in January, both against Elche in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, respectively.

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#2 Bayern Munich

1. FC Köln v FC Bayern München - Bundesliga

Bundesliga holders Bayern Munich are on course for another fruitful campaign. Under Julian Nagelsmann, the Bavarians have played an excellent, coherent brand of football this season, scoring at will without compromising their defensive integrity.

Not only did they look like an unstoppable force in the Bundesliga, but they also won all six of their Champions League group stage games in 2021.

Surprisingly, they failed to get up to speed in their first Bundesliga match of 2022 and fell to a 1-2 home defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach. Of course, the German champions were not going to rest on their laurels after the embarrassing loss.

They bounced back with an impressive 0-4 win at Koln, proving that the result against Monchengladbach was only an anamoly.

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#1 Manchester City

Manchester City v Chelsea - Premier League

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are the most in-form team on the continent at the moment and for good reason. Pep Guardiola has turned the Citizens into a well-oiled, flawless winning machine, capable of destroying any side that stands in their way.

Manchester City have been in unfathomable form in England this January, winning all three games they have played so far.

First, they took on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the first day of the year. The champions came from behind to bag a 1-2 win in north London.

Next was the trip to Swindon Town in the third round of the FA Cup. City mercilessly hammered the hosts 1-4.

Manchester City's last Premier League encounter saw them host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne scored a screamer in the second half to take City further ahead in the Premier League title race.