Eyebrows were raised about the future of Barcelona when Pep Guardiola upped sticks and left the club at the end of last season. No-one should have worried. Vilanova has shown the same attention to detail that made Guaridola such a feted coach when he was at Camp Nou and success is almost guaranteed on the domestic front. Barca is running away with La Liga and they remain favorites to win the Champions League.

Vilanova's health is still a cause for concern though. He has been absent for the last three games as he continues his battle with throat cancer, although his influence has hardly been missed. Barca have secured 5-1 and 6-1 victories in two of their last three games so his philosophy clearly continues to run through the team. Let's hope we see him back in the dug-out soon.  

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League Record: 20-2-1, first place, La Liga (Spain)

Domestic Cup: Plays second leg versus Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Feb. 26 (1-1 aggregate)

Europe: Round of 16 Champions League match versus AC Milan on Feb. 20 at the San Siro

Last five league matches: 3-1-1

Summary:

When your biggest domestic rivals are waving the white flag before the calendar hits March, you know you’ve been dominating your league from the very first kick-off. With La Liga firmly in their hands, Barca are also favorites to win the Champions League, and will face Real Madrid in the semifinals of the domestic cup. Until somebody knocks them off, we simply can’t see anyone other than Barcelona in our number one spot.

Upcoming match: La Liga match at Granada on Feb. 16

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League Record: 17-3-1, first place, Bundesliga (Germany)

Domestic Cup: Quarterfinal vs. Borussia Dortmund on Feb. 27 at Allianz Arena.

Europe: Round of 16 Champions League match versus Arsenal on Feb. 19 at Emirates Stadium

Last five league matches: 4-1-0

Summary:

Like Barcelona, the Bavarian giants have made easy work of their domestic league this season and are in good position across all three competitions. Bayern is approaching the Bundesliga title in record pace, already enjoying a 15-point cushion over 2nd-placed Dortmund. While their offense is often in the focal point, Bayern surprisingly sports Europe’s best defense, having allowed only 7 goals through 21 Bundesliga games.

Upcoming match: Bundesliga match at Wolfsburg on Feb. 15

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League Record: 17-4-3, first place, Serie A (Italy)

Domestic Cup: Eliminated from Coppa Italia in semifinal round against Lazio

Europe: Holds 3-0 first leg advantage in round of 16 Champions League match versus Celtic. Second leg match will take place at Juventus Stadium on Mar. 6

Last five league matches: 3-2-0

Summary:

The Old Lady accomplished something this week that just one other side (Barcelona) had done in the Champions League era: win at Celtic Park. While Juve far from dominated Celtic, it did win by three goals in typical Italian fashion: airtight defense in the back, and ruthless efficiency in attack — a style their Serie A opponents know it all too well. Juventus leads Napoli by five points in what currently is a two-team race for the title, and sport a league-best +34 goal difference.

Upcoming match: Serie A match versus Roma on Feb. 16

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League Record: 15-6-3, first place, Ligue 1 (France)

Domestic Cup: Will meet Olympique Marseille in Coupe de France on Feb. 27

Europe: Holds 2-1 first leg lead over Valencia in UEFA Champions League round of 16

Last five league matches: 4-1-0

Summary:

Petro-dollars or not, you can’t hate the product that Paris Saint-Germain have put out there on the field this season. PSG is absolutely crushing Ligue 1 opposition; they recently went on a run of 8 straight games without allowing a single goal. But while their domestic run isn’t too surprising, not many thought PSG would fare so well, so quickly in the Champions League. Now, after a by-and-large convincing away win at Valencia, a quarterfinal spot beckons, and the French side could soon establish itself as one of Europe’s best for many years to come.

Upcoming match: Travel to Sochaux for a Ligue 1 encounter on Feb. 17

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League Record: 21-2-3, first place, Premier League (England)

Domestic Cup: Set to meet Reading for an FA Cup fifth round match on Feb. 18

Europe: Takes 1-1 first leg UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw against Real Madrid back to Old Trafford

Last five league matches: 4-1-0

Summary:

In what many could say is "down" year for the Premier League (at least when you look at continental play), Manchester United certainly has not had a down season. United are far and away the best English side this season: they dominate at home (12 point lead over rivals City), look very formidable in the Champions League, and earned an all-important away draw in the first leg against Real Madrid.

Upcoming match: FA Cup match against Reading on Feb. 18

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League Record: 14-4-0, first place, Primeira Liga (Portugal)

Domestic Cup: Semifinal match versus Rio Ave Futebol Clube on Feb. 27

Europe: Feb. 19 UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Malaga

Last five league matches: 4-1-0

Summary:

Porto are still undefeated in Portugal through 18 games this season, and if that’s not impressive enough, take a look at their home record: nine wins out of 10 games, with 27 goals scored compared to just two allowed. Those are Barcelona or Bayern-type numbers. Granted, it is the Primera Division, but Porto could make more noise in the Champions League too. Porto were drawn against a dangerous but beatable Malaga side, and will have homefield advantage in the first leg.

Upcoming match: Primeira Liga match agrainst Beira-Mar on Feb. 15

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League Record: 14-4-5, third place, La Liga (Spain)

Domestic Cup: Travel to Barcelona for second leg Copa del Rey tie on Feb. 26

Europe: Holds 1-1 draw against Manchester United in UEFA Champions League round of 16 play

Last five league matches: 3-1-1

Summary:

How does a club 16 points behind league leader Barcelona make our Power Rankings list? Simple: they're Real Madrid. Supporters and critics alike have been left dumbfounded during Madrid's lackluster domestic campaign considering Madrid's impressive 2011-12 season that saw them close the gap against archrivals Barcelona. And yet, while the defending La Liga champions remain a mind-boggling puzzle to many, the Merengues are still very much a real threat in Europe following their thrilling 1-1 Champions League draw against Pre Manchester United.

Upcoming match: Host La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Feb. 18

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League Record: 11-6-4, second place, Bundesliga (Germany)

Domestic Cup: Scheduled to meet Bayern Munich in DFB Pokal quarterfinals on Feb. 27

Europe: Will take 2-2 first leg draw back to Signal-Iduna-Park after drawing Shakhtar Donetsk in UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match

Last five league matches: 4-0-1

Summary:

With the Bundesliga title now far from a realistic possibility, Borussia Dortmund will look to hold their spot in next year's Champions League extravaganza by fending oppositon from all corners over the next few months; as eight points separate second to seventh place in the table. Dortmund's main issue has been in defense, as Jurgen Klopp's squad has given up 26 goals in 21 league games this season compared to 25 goals last campaign. As of late, the Black Yellows seemed to recuperate some of their mojo after stunning Shakhtar Donetsk with a late 2-2 Champions League draw Wednesday night.

Upcoming match: Battle Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga play on Feb. 16

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League Record: 16-2-5, second place, La Liga (Spain)

Domestic Cup: Take 2-1 first leg edge to Sevilla in Copa del Rey's semifinal round

Europe: Suffered stunning 2-0 home loss to Rubin Kazan in Europa League (round of 32)

Last five league matches: 3-0-2

Summary:

Believe it or not, but Atletico have been the best Madrid club in La Liga all season long. Despite their recent dip form, most notably, their Europa League setback at the hands of Rubin Kazan on Thursday night, Los Colchoneros have maintained a high level of consistency during Diego Simeone's tenure at the Vicente Calderon. If Madrid can flip the recent malaise, expect Atletico to remian in our Power Rankings discussion for weeks to come.

Upcoming match: Face Real Valladolid on Feb. 16

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League Record: 15-5-4, second place, Serie A (Italy)

Domestic Cup: Eliminated from Coppa Italia.

Europe: 2-0 loss to Viktoria Plzen (Europa League, round of 32 first leg)

Last five league matches: 3-2-0

Summary:

Following Napoli's exit from Champions League football, many experts predirected a significant drop-off from the Azzurri this season. With the likes of Walter Gargano and Ezequiel Lavezzi leaving the Naples side, a top four Serie A finish was out the question, let alone possible. Fast forward to February and Napoli sit five points of Juventus and remain the only viable option to dethrone the defending Scudetto come May.

Upcoming match: Host Serie A versus Sampdoria on Feb. 17