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An old saying says that 'form is temporary and class is permanent'. However, when one combines world class talent with a purple patch of red-hot form, magical things can be achieved in football.
Good form could be climbing up the table to reach the top or navigating through tough knockout fixtures to reach a cup final. It could be a home or away winning run. It plays a huge role in a team's successes over the course of a season.
It depends on various factors like the environment at the club and the climate at board level. It vitally factors in the mentality and mood of the players and coaching staff, and of course, the ability of the players.
In the past, teams have achieved incredible things when in-form. Last year, Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League thanks to three games where N'Golo Kante hit the form of his life in central midfield. Those three turned out to be the two semi-final legs and the final, and Chelsea emerged triumphant. Kante was named the Midfielder of the Season in the Champions League for his efforts.
Make no mistake, this is not to take away from any of his or his teammates' performances in other games. Good players will still do the basics perfectly when out of form. It's just that when these players and teams hit a purple patch, their productivity multiplies manifold.
On that note, let's take a look at the five most in-form teams in world football currently.
#5. Inter Milan
Inter Milan are currently sitting pretty atop the Serie A standings with 40 points. They have won five and drawn one of their last six games in the league. On form, they are only bettered by Atalanta, whose domestic form is the polar opposite of their European form.
In their last 10 games in all competitions, Inter have won eight, drawn one and lost one game. In this run, they have scored 24 goals, conceding just six in return. 60% of their goals this season have come from open play - a testament to the Italian side's attacking prowess.
In their last game against Cagliari, too, Inter were on song in attack. Nicolo Barella provided a sublime assist for Alexis Sanchez's goal to make it 2-0.
Lautaro Martinez is the top scorer for Inter in Serie A with 10 goals. Meanwhile, Edin Dzeko leads the pack in the UEFA Champions League with three goals. Nicolo Barella and Arturo Vidal lead the assist stats in those competitions respectively, with Barella on seven and Vidal on two assists.
Inter have qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and will take on Liverpool in the round of 16. They currently lead Serie A by just a point and are currently leading city-rivals AC Milan.
With the players they have, it won't be a surprise to see Inter Milan finish the season strongly after a wonderful start. Inter will travel to rock-bottom club Salernitana on the 17th of this month and will look to secure a straightforward win.
#4. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are 15 games into the current Bundesliga campaign and have won 12 games, drawn one and lost two. They have scored 47 goals during this run, conceding just 16 and have 37 points from a possible 45 so far.
Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer for the club as well as the league with 16 goals. Thomas Muller leads the assist charts for his club and the league with 11 assists.
Just this week, Bayern first won a hard fought 'Der Klassiker' 3-2 against Borussia Dortmund. They topped it up with a routine 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League group stage.
Bayern won all six of their group games in the Champions League, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three. Only Real Madrid have a similar defensive record this season. The Bavarians will face Red Bull Salzburg in the round of 16.
Lewandowski leads the pack in the Champions League as well, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in his six outings. Leroy Sane is a notable mention with five goals and four assists in the UCL this season.
Bayern Munich travel to Stuttgart today and will look to secure a win to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the table.
#3. Real Madrid
Real Madrid are currently at the top of La Liga with 42 points from 17 games. They have won 13, drawn three and lost one of their games in the league. Los Blancos have scored 39 times and have only conceded 15 goals. They have won five on the bounce and lead the pack by eight points in the league table.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions with their last loss dating back to the beginning of October. It was a 2-1 loss to Espanyol in La Liga.
They played city-rivals Atletico Madrid a few days back and emerged victorious with a 2-0 margin. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored the goals, both well-taken finishes firm and low into the net.
That capped off an incredible two weeks for the club from the Spanish capital. They recorded five wins from five games, scoring nine and conceding just one goal.
Real Madrid won their Champions League group, getting 15 points, recording five wins and one loss against surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol. They face Paris Saint-Germain in what proves to be a mouth-watering prospect in the round of 16.
Karim Benzema has been the club's top scorer this season with 13 goals in La Liga and five in the Champions League. Vinicius Jr. is not too far behind with 10 in the league and two goals in Europe.
Real face Cadiz in their next La Liga game at the Santiago Bernabeu and are favorites to continue this run of form.
#2. Ajax
Ajax are currently second in the Eredivisie, one point off top spot held by PSV Eindhoven. They have won 11, drawn three and lost two out of their 16 games in the Eredivisie this season. Their goalscoring form has scaled greater heights this campaign, with 40 goals scored and 23 conceded.
In the Champions League, though, Ajax have been a different gravy. They won all six of their group games, scoring a record-breaking 20 goals in the group stage and conceding just five. That incredible run included back-to-back wins over Borussia Dortmund with emphatic scorelines of 4-1 and 3-0. Their run saw Ajax become the first Dutch side to win all of their group games in the Champions League.
Sebastian Haller has been the club's top scorer this season, scoring 10 goals in the Eredivisie. Incredibly, he has also scored 10 goals in the Champions League. He broke Erling Haaland's record for fastest player to reach 10 goals in the competition. The Frenchman broke two other long-standing records as well, as you can see here:
Ajax face Barendrecht in the KNVB Cup next, before a crucial game against title rivals Feyenoord at the weekend. Erik ten Hag's men will look to capitalize on their strong start and progress well throughout the season.
#1. Liverpool
Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, one point behind leaders Manchester City. They have played 16 games, won 11, drawn four and lost one game. The Reds have scored 45 goals and conceded 12 this season. Mohamed Salah leads the club and the league in both goals (14) and assists (9).
The club have been in scintillating goalscoring form thanks to their attackers Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
Many expected Liverpool to have a tough time this season in the Champions League. They were drawn into the same group as Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan in the Champions League. However, they exceeded all expectations and won all six of their group games with relative ease. Liverpool scored 17 goals and conceded six.
Like Ajax for the Netherlands, Liverpool were the first English team to win all their group games in the Champions League.
Liverpool have played 24 competitive games this season, scoring a whopping 67 goals. Along with his 23 goal contributions in the Premier League, Mo Salah has seven Champions League goals. This takes his tally for the season to 30 before the end of December!
Liverpool take on Newcastle in their next game on the 16th and will look to win to continue their push for top spot in the Premier League table.
