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| Former Real Madrid striker Raul believes the all-Spanish UEFA Champions League final will be a party for Spanish football. |
We have a new leader! As the European season reaches its climax, Madrid's big two swap places in Shaka Hislop's Power Rankings.
1. Real Madrid (+1)
Zinedine Zidane's side still have a chance of winning La Liga, though they need some help from Granada this weekend if they are to overtake Barcelona. The real focus is the Champions League final and, between now and then, the fitness of key men such as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will be heavily scrutinised.
2. Atletico Madrid (-1)
Of course, Real are not the only Madrid-based side with eyes directed toward Milan on May 28. Atletico will be able to rest players in La Liga this weekend, after their title chase ended with a shock 2-1 defeat at Levante. Diego Simeone now has almost three weeks to mastermind a game plan to claim Atletico's first European Cup win.
3. Barcelona (+1)
Is a league and cup double "enough?" The disappointment at missing out on the Champions League will remain but two trophies, even by Barcelona's high standards, represents a fine campaign. They can win the first of those -- La Liga -- this weekend with victory against Granada. The Copa del Rey final against Sevilla follows on May 22.
4. Bayern Munich (-1)
Similarly, is dominating domestically sufficient for Bayern? In contrast to Barcelona, who at least won the Champions League last year, Bayern have come up short in Europe in each of Pep Guardiola's three seasons in charge. With that in mind, they began retooling their squad this week, with the signings of Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches.
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| Gianluigi Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 and has won Serie A seven times with the Turin club. |
5. Juventus (no change)
And while we're discussing doubles, Italian champions Juventus are focusing on the Coppa Italia final against Milan on May 21. The Old Lady received a boost this week when legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until the age of 40. Andrea Barzagli also put pen to paper on a new deal.
6. Paris Saint-Germain (no change)
PSG have already won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue and only a shock Marseille win would see them denied back-to-back French trebles. Between now and then is the final league game of the season against Nantes. PSG need to score twice to hit 100 goals for the season, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is four goals away from 50 in all competitions.
7. Leicester (no change)
Sometimes a title party can impact the way champions play but that certainly was not the case with Leicester. Granted, Everton were their opponents pretty much in name alone, but the Foxes' resounding 3-1 win showed just why they have won the Premier League. Claudio Ranieri and his players deserve all the plaudits that have come their way.
8. Benfica (new)
With one round of games remaining in Portugal, Benfica are on the brink of their third straight league title and 35th overall. Rui Vitoria's side lead Sporting by two points ahead of the final weekend, having won 11 consecutive league games. Midtable Nacional are all that stand between Benfica and another trophy.
9. Liverpool (-1)
Most people expected him to revitalise the club but Jurgen Klopp's effect on Liverpool has been truly remarkable. Anfield is, once again, a fortress where the home side expect to win every time and previously inconsistent players have reached new levels under the German. A Europa League win next week would be the icing on Liverpool's cake.
10. Sevilla (new)
Standing in Liverpool's way next Wednesday in Basel are a side who know what it takes to win the Europa League. Sevilla are chasing their third straight win in the competition and fifth overall. They might be just seventh in La Liga but they know how to win big games, having beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
Dropping out Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund.