Friday marks the return of some of Europe's best sides, with Italy and Spain joining the rest of the continent in club competition. Commemorating the occasion are the first-ever Sports World News European power rankings.
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Each Thursday, the list will be updated to reflect the current standing of each club. Read on to reveal the inaugural rankings.
10. Athletic Bilbao
Admittedly, Athletic Bilbao's place in the top 10 will likely be short lived, but the club warrants recognition for a sterling performance against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. Winning 5-1 on aggregate, Los Leones will face the Catalan giants once more on Sunday. It will serve as an opportunity to prove their performance at the San Mames was no fluke.
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9. Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund entered the post-Jurgen Klopp era in dominating fashion, dispatching Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund's 'Yellow Wall' 30 minutes before KO! Unbelievable support pic.twitter.com/brJseXiV5g
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) August 15, 2015
8. Valencia
Valencia is yet to open their domestic season, but managed to defeat AS Monaco in an all-important Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.
7. Paris Saint-Germain
PSG already lifted a trophy this campaign, defeating Lyon in the Trophee des Champions. The defending Ligue 1 champions followed that performance with a 1-0 victory over Lille.
6. Juventus
Like PSG, Juventus opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana. The defending Serie A champions lost some luster in the summer transfer window, seeing Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez depart, but remain the preeminent club in Italy.
5. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid enjoyed reverse fortunes in the summer transfer window, acquiring Filipe Luis and Jackson Martinez, among others. After finishing third in 2014-15, the Colchoneros now boast a roster capable of competing for another La Liga crown.
Atletico Madrid’s excellent transfer business makes them @karlmatchett’s tip for Liga title https://t.co/fqdl5Rx99s pic.twitter.com/8O5Gt7jvaZ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) August 18, 2015
4. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich opened their season with a 5-0 victory over Hamburg, a typical result for the club in Germany. Another season of dominating domestically and trying to find a result in Champions League awaits them.
3. Manchester City
Six points in the league and a 3-0 victory over Chelsea was already enough to warrant a place in the top three. The acquisition of Nicolas Otamendi only solidified Manchester City's place in Europe.
#ICYMI: Vincent Kompany's goal vs. Chelsea (2-0) - 360 pic.twitter.com/DCckvsKyZk
— Sportive23 (@Sportive23_) August 16, 2015
2. Real Madrid
Many questioned the decision to hire Rafa Benitez as manager, but Real Madrid remain one of the world's most talented sides. When players the likes of Isco, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Matteo Kovacic will all battle for minutes, you have a squad capable of beating anyone in Europe.
1. Barcelona
Conceding nine goals in three matches is cause for concern in Barcelona, but this is still the defending Spanish and European champion. The trident of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez remains the most lethal combination of talent ever assembled.
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