Football
Shaka Hislop 4y

Power Rankings: Bayern Munich stay top as Juve climb, Barca return and Liverpool drop

Bayern Munich remain No. 1 in the latest Top 10 and there are moves up the ladder for Juventus and Barcelona. Liverpool, though, are going the other way.

1. Bayern Munich (no change)

Goals from Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka gave Bayern a victory against Augsburg that, coupled with RB Leipzig dropping points, sent Hansi Flick's side four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Last week: 2-0 vs. Augsburg (H; Bundesliga)

2. Lazio (no change)

With Italian life -- never mind soccer -- hit hard by measures aimed to prevent the spread of coronavirus, title hopefuls Lazio did not play at the weekend and will not take the pitch again until at least April 5.

Last week: Did not play

3. Paris Saint-Germain (+3)

PSG are known for throwing away leads in Champions League knockout ties, so fair play to them for overturning a deficit against Borussia Dortmund, especially as the game was played in an empty stadium.

Last week: 2-0 vs. Borussia Dortmund (H; Champions League)

4. Juventus (+4)

In a stadium that was empty of fans due to restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Aaron Ramsey and Paulo Dybala scored the goals against Inter that sent champions Juventus back to the top of Serie A.

Last week: 2-0 vs. Inter (H; Serie A)

5. Atalanta (+4)

Italian football has been suspended, but Atalanta showed they remain in top form with an impressive win at Valencia, in which Josip Ilicic scored all four goals, that clinched Champions League progress.

Last week: 4-3 vs. Valencia (A; Champions League)

6. Barcelona (new)

Thanks to a late Lionel Messi penalty and Real Madrid's defeat at Betis, Barcelona are back on top of La Liga. The suspension of soccer in Spain, though, makes it unclear when the two-horse race for the La Liga crown will resume.

Last week: 1-0 vs. Real Sociedad (H; La Liga)

7. Atletico Madrid (new)

Diego Simeone's men looked a long shot for this week's Top 10 when they fell 2-0 behind at Anfield, but a sensational extra-time fightback saw them oust last season's Champions League winners Liverpool.

Last week: 2-2 vs. Sevilla (H; La Liga), 3-2 vs. Liverpool (A; Champions League)

8. Liverpool (-5)

Any season in which you win the league at a canter must be considered a success, but Liverpool's cup exits -- especially the Champions League -- will take away some gloss, for the short term at least. 

Last week: 2-1 vs. Bournemouth (H; Premier League), 2-3 vs. Atletico Madrid (H; Champions League)

9. RB Leipzig (+1)

A goalless draw at Wolfsburg dented Leipzig's Bundesliga's title hopes, but Julian Nagelsmann's side were able to advance in the Champions League, courtesy of a comprehensive win against Tottenham.

Last week: 0-0 vs. Wolfsburg (A; Bundesliga), 3-0 vs. Tottenham (H; Champions League)

10. Bayer Leverkusen (new)

With just one defeat in all competitions in 2020, Leverkusen are not totally out of the running for the Bundesliga title and also have realistic hopes of winning silverware in the DFB-Pokal and Europa League. 

Last week: 4-0 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (H; Bundesliga), 3-1 vs. Rangers (A; Europa League)

Dropping out: Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid

Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV, which airs daily on ESPN+.

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