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We are in the final two weeks of 2021 and all the major European leagues are slowly starting to take shape. Potential winners and title challengers have emerged, promising nail-biting races right to the finish.
Every team worth their salt is determined to end the year on a high, but only a chosen few have been successful. Today, we will take a look at five European teams who have beaten the odds, performing consistently over the last 10 games.
Here are the five best-performing teams in Europe right now:
Special note: This list does not take domestic cup competitions into account. Only the domestic league and Champions League results are considered.
#5 Inter Milan
Ending Juventus’ Serie A dominance, Inter Milan bagged the Italian top-flight title last season. This term, too, they have been exceptional in the domestic league, sitting at the summit with a one-point lead over second-placed AC Milan.
Inter have won eight of their last 10 matches, beating the likes of Roma and Napoli in Serie A. They have drawn once in the said period, with the stalemate coming against cross-town rivals Milan in the second week of November.
Although they have shone brightly in Serie A this season, they have not quite managed to carry their domestic form to Europe. Yes, they did book their place in the Round of 16, but failed to beat group-winners Real Madrid on both occasions.
Los Blancos beat Inter 1-0 in the Champions League group stage opener and completed the double over them with a 2-0 victory on matchday six.
#4 Liverpool
19-time English champions Liverpool saw Manchester City reclaim the English top-flight title last season. The Reds lost their footing in key moments of the campaign and ultimately finished in third place, behind the two Manchester clubs.
Jurgen Klopp is determined not to let the mistakes repeat this season and is gradually guiding the Merseyside outfit towards a successful campaign.
Liverpool have won eight of their last 10 games across the Premier League and the Champions League, picking up 25 points from a maximum of 30. Their only draw came against Brighton & Hove Albion in late October. The Premier League minnows produced a spirited performance at Anfield to keep the hosts to a 2-2 draw.
Premier League high-fliers West Ham United were the other team to steal points off Liverpool. They beat Liverpool 3-2 to end their 25-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
In the Champions League, however, Liverpool have been spotless so far. The Anfield outfit won all six group stage matches this season, becoming the only English team in history to bag a perfect group stage record in the premier European competition.
#3 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon, one of the top teams in Portugal, have been in fine form this season, winning nine of their last 10 matches. In the Champions League group stage, they were up against Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Besiktas, but still managed to book their place in the Round of 16. Their only recent defeat came against Ajax on Champions League matchday six.
In the Primeira Liga, Sporting have managed to win their last seven fixtures, allowing them to match league-leaders Porto’s point tally of 38. A 3-1 win over third-placed Benfica in the first week of December was their most notable victory in that seven-game stretch.
#2 Bayern Munich
German champions and current Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are an unstoppable force in Europe right now. The Bavarians won all six of their Champions League group stage matches this season, becoming the third team after Liverpool and Ajax to attain a 100 percent record.
They beat Barcelona 3-0 in their Champions League matchday six clash to kick the Blaugrana out of the group stage of the European competition for the first time since 2000-01.
Bayern Munich have also been extraordinary in the Bundesliga this season and are once again running away with the German top-flight title. In their last seven league outings, Bayern Munich have bagged six wins. Their only defeat came against Augsburg on November 20th.
10 days back, Bayern Munich faced arguably the second strongest team in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund. The Black and Yellows fought tooth and nail, but failed to keep a lid on Robert Lewandowski's genius.
The Polish striker's brace took Bayern to a 3-2 win, allowing the leaders to double their advantage to six points at the top of the table.
#1 Real Madrid
Last season, Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid failed to get their hands on any trophy. While La Liga was bagged by crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid, the Champions League went to Chelsea and, unsurprisingly, the Copa del Rey was won by Barcelona.
Real Madrid are desperate to add a trophy or two to their illustrious cabinet this season and are showing their intentions on the pitch.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are currently on a 10-game winning run in all competitions, making them the most in-form team in Europe. Los Blancos’ winning run started with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Elche on October 30th. They followed it up with a couple more 2-1 wins, over Shakhtar Donetsk and Rayo Vallecano, respectively, before condemning Granda to a 4-1 defeat.
In the remaining six matches, Real Madrid beat Sheriff, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid. They scored 12 goals and conceded only once, keeping five clean sheets in their last six matches.
