Best Performing Clubs in 2025: Q2 Results
By: AT
Image Credit: Waldemar
With the 2024-25 season, and therefore the second quarter (Q2) of 2025 complete, we look at the three best performing clubs from April 1 to May 31, 2025; this article excludes performances from the FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place from June 14 to July 13. This article is the second part of a four-part series that includes brief analyses on the three best performing clubs from Europe’s top five leagues during the final two months of the 2024-25 season.
The analysis portion notes the clubs’ records and accomplishments during that period, notably standout matches and winning streaks, and exploits in such knockout-style competitions as domestic cup competitions and the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
This quarter’s three clubs do not include Serie A club SSC Napoli, for which we dedicated an article following their 2024-25 Serie A title win, nor does it include any of our three candidates from our Q1 article, which are:
Serie A club Bologna FC, which proceeded to win the 2024-25 Coppa Italia title in May;
Premier League (EPL) club Nottingham Forest, which clinched a berth to the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League qualifying playoffs in May; and
Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which hoisted the 2024-25 Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles in May, thereby earning all four trophies — plus the Trophée des Champions/French super cup — that were available to win (see our PSG article).
Moreover, this article does not include analyses about Club World Cup matches, and clubs’ and players’ performances in that tournament.
Future articles in this series will be released after the following months in 2025:
early October, an analysis of the top three clubs in Q3; and
end of December, an analysis of the top three clubs throughout 2025 (see our 2024 analysis here).
Without further ado, let us delve into the first top-three performer from Q2 2025.
🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund (wins, draws and losses from April 1 to May 31, 2025): 7-1-1
Facing the threat of having been eliminated prematurely from the DfB Pokal and potentially finishing out of the top six positions in the 2024-25 Bundesliga table, which would have resulted in missing out on continental European football for the 2025-26 season, Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund accumulated six league wins in seven matches. It all started on April 5 when, seeking to establish a winning streak after a 3-1 victory against FSV Mainz on March 30, Dortmund routed SC Freiburg 4-1 on their turf. Dortmund’s goal scorers included the likes of star forwards Karim Adeyemi (see our player profile) and Serhou Guirassy, each player scoring one goal.
However, Dortmund experienced a slight setback to their end-of-season ambitions, losing 4-0 away against LaLiga club FC Barcelona in their first leg match of the UCL quarterfinals, all but ending their hopes to return to the UCL final in consecutive seasons (Dortmund finished their 2023-24 UCL campaign as runners-up, ultimately losing the final 2-0 against LaLiga club Real Madrid). Four days later, hoping to return to winning ways in Bundesliga, Dortmund mustered a 2-2 draw in a Der Klassiker derby against Bayern Munich, despite being dominated by their opponents in almost all aspects. Weathering on-field domination, The Black and Yellow had escaped nevertheless with one point against their archrivals, which ultimately won the 2024-25 Bundesliga title, a 12th in their last 13 seasons.
After a difficult couple of matches, Dortmund hosted Barcelona for the second-leg match of the UCL quarterfinals at Signal Iduna Park. Despite trailing 4-0 on aggregate, the German club won the second leg by a convincing 3-1 score, during which they almost completed what would have been an incredible comeback.
Returning once more to Bundesliga action and preparing for matches 30 to 34 (out of 34, overall), Dortmund closed out their 2024-25 Bundesliga season with five consecutive victories, amounting to six consecutive victories and a seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. Dortmund’s five victories, including against such clubs as VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, either ended in a close and high-scoring contest or in a decisive blowout (also with many goals scored). These victories consist of the following scores against the following opponents:
Match #30: Dortmund 3-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund);
Match #31: TSG Hoffenheim 2-3 Dortmund (Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim);
Match #32: Dortmund 4-0 VfL Wolfsburg (Signal Iduna Park)
Match #33: Bayer Leverkusen 2-4 Dortmund (BayArena, Leverkusen); and
Match #34: Dortmund 3-0 Holstein Kiel (Signal Iduna Park).
These scores, along with external results that helped Dortmund ascend in the Bundesliga table, enabled the club to finish in fourth place — behind league winners Bayern, runners-up Leverkusen, and third-place Eintracht Frankfurt — and clinch a return to the UCL for the 2025-26 season, a triumph achieved for the 10th consecutive season. To win a title next season, however, The Black and Yellow will have to display strong performances on a weekly basis throughout the season. This will require the front office to enhance their squad by filling current gaps in the midfield and defence. If the likes of Guirassy, Adeyemi or Jamie Bynoe-Gittens leave, the club will also have to add firepower in attack.
On June 10, they acquired young up-and-coming midfielder Jobe Bellingham — former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham’s brother — who arrived at the club for €30.5 million from newly promoted EFL Championship club Birmingham City. In defence, The Black and Yellow have secured the permanent signings of right-back Yan Couto for €25.0 million from EPL club Manchester City and left-back Daniel Svensson from Danish /first division club FC Nordsjaelland for €6.5 million. Both players spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Dortmund, gradually becoming perennial starters as the season progressed. Despite these acquisitions, however, Dortmund are likely not done strengthening their squad just yet.
🏴 Chelsea FC: 10-2-2
Despite a strong start to the 2024-25 season, EPL club Chelsea FC eventually began losing league matches on a regular basis — eerily similar to their 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns — and suffered premature elimination in both the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Amid such star players as Cole Palmer cooling down from their hot starts to the 2024-25 season, Chelsea were potentially on course to finishing in the upper mid-table section (≈ positions seventh to 12th) for a third consecutive season. However, from early April, The Blues managed to regain their winning form, raking in victories in 10 of their final 14 matches of the season.
In EPL action, Chelsea kicked off April with a 1-0 victory against eventual 2024-25 UEFA Europa League (UEL) winners Tottenham Hotspur and two draws against Brentford FC (0-0) and now-relegated Ipswich Town (2-2). Then, in Chelsea’s final six EPL matches of the season (from mid-April to end of May, 2025), the London-based club mustered an impressive five wins in six matches, including major victories against local rivals Fulham FC and 2024-25 EPL winners Liverpool; Chelsea’s sole loss, a 2-0 away loss, occurred against Newcastle United on matchday 36 (out of 38). Their five victories comprised the following scores against the following opponents:
Matchday #33: Fulham FC 1-2 Chelsea FC (Craven Cottage, London);
Matchday #34: Chelsea 1-0 Everton FC (Stamford Bridge, London);
Matchday #35: Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool FC (Stamford Bridge);
Matchday #37: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (Stamford Bridge); and
Matchday #38: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea (City Ground, Bridgford).
As a result, after Chelsea’s 1-0 win on the final matchday, Chelsea propelled to fourth place in the 2024-25 EPL table, finishing with 69 points ahead of fifth-place Newcastle (66 points), sixth-place Aston Villa (66 points) and seventh-place Nottingham Forest (65 points). With a top-four finish, Chelsea qualified for the 2025-26 UCL edition, their first appearance in that competition since 2022-23.
In addition to their nine EPL matches played in April and May 2025, Chelsea accumulated an impressive record of four wins and one loss in their 2024-25 UEFA Conference League (UECL) campaign. Between Chelsea‘s two aforementioned EPL draws, the London-based club defeated Ekstraklasa/Polish first division club Legia Warszawa 4-2 on aggregate, winning the first leg 3-0 away and losing the second leg 2-1 at home, their only loss throughout their 2024-25 UECL campaign. In the semifinals, The Blues cruised past Allsvenskan/Swedish first division club Djurgårdens IF 5-1 on aggregate, winning both legs 4-1 away and 1-0 at home.
In the UECL final — Chelsea’s final matchday of the 2024-25 season before the FIFA Club World Cup — the London-based club rallied from a 1-0 deficit and scored four unanswered goals, thereby defeating LaLiga club Real Betis by a 4-1 score and winning the 2024-25 UECL title, a first in club history. As a result, Chelsea are the first club to hoist all three existing UEFA continental club competitions: UCL, UEL and UECL.
Next season, Chelsea will aim to produce an inspiring run in UCL — the first in which they will compete under the new format — and perhaps win at least one piece of silverware from domestic competitions. To do that, however, The Blues will need to improve their squad by adding experience that adequately complements their young and impetuous squad. So far, Chelsea’s handful of summer 2025 additions signal that they are doubling-down on increasing the number of young players on their squad, with their oldest signing, forward Liam Delap, aged on 22 years. Chelsea’s five summer arrivals — so far — are:
defender Mamadou Sarr (19), from Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg for €14.0 million;
midfielder Kendry Páez (18), from LigaPro Serie A/Ecuadorian first division club Independiente del Valle for €10.0 million;
midfielder Dário Essugo (20), from Primeira Liga club Sporting CP for €22.3 million;
forward Estêvao (18), from Brazilian Série A club SE Palmerias for €34.0 million; and
forward Liam Delap (22), from recently relegated EPL club Ipswich Town for €35.5 million.
Considering Chelsea’s history in summer transfer windows, especially in the last few years, they are likely not done signings players. Although they are evidently building a young squad with raw talent, they may nevertheless decide to add a key veteran or two. Ultimately, to win any trophies in England or make a deep run in UCL, one’s squad generally needs to be either very well-coached, or well-experienced and battle-tested. With such a young squad with multiple personalities playing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will have his work cut out for him.
🇪🇸 FC Barcelona: 10-2-3
Prior to April, the 2024-25 LaLiga title race appeared to be a three-horse race between Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. In April and May 2025, however, Barcelona established superiority and broke away from its opponents, winning the 2024-25 LaLiga title with 88 points from 38 matches. The club’s performances were led and highlighted in stylish fashion by forwards and 2024-25 Ballon d’Or candidates Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Club manager Hansi Flick, who completed his first season at the club, also deserves a copious amount of credit for re-instilling a disciplined and results-oriented culture in the squad.
Although their final two months of the season began in April with a 1-1 draw against Betis, the Catalan club’s broke away from the three-horse title race by winning six consecutive matches and earning seven victories in their last eight league matches of the 2024-25 season; their sole loss, a 3-2 home loss against Villarreal CF, occurred on the penultimate matchday. After a 1-0 away victory on April 12 against CF Leganés, Barça subsequently defeated the likes of fourth-place and 2024-25 UEL semifinalists Athletic Club, and archrivals Real Madrid and league title-clinching victory away against local rivals RCD Espanyol, the latter of which resulted in Barcelona clinching the league title. Overall, their seven victories consist of the following scores against the following opponents:
Matchday #31: CD Leganés 0-1 FC Barcelona (Estadio Municpal de Butarque, Leganés);
Matchday #32: Barcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona);
Matchday #33: Barcelona 1-0 RCD Mallorca (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona);
Matchday #34: Real Valladolid 1-2 Barcelona (Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid);
Matchday #35: Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona);
Matchday #36: RCD Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona (RCDE Stadium, Barcelona); and
Matchday #38: Athletic Club 0-3 Barcelona (Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao).
In Copa del Rey, Barcelona played two matches between April 1 and the end of the 2024-25 campaign. The first, a second-leg semifinal match against Atlético, served as a tie-breaker between two clubs that duelled to an entertaining and volatile first leg 4-4 draw in the Catalan metropolis. The second leg, held on April 2 in the Spanish capital, ended in a 1-0 away win and a 5-4 aggregated victory for the Catalans, advancing to the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2020-21. That season, Barça defeated Athletic Club 4-0 to claim their 31st Copa del Rey title, an all-time record.
In the 2024-25 Copa del Rey final, an El Clásico derby held on April 26, Barcelona completed an emphatic comeback to win 3-2 after extra-time and hoist a record 32nd Copa del Rey title. In all competitions, Barcelona swept Real Madrid in their 2024-25 matchups, winning both LaLiga matches (4-0 away and 4-3 home), the Copa del Rey final, the Supercopa de España final (5-2) and a preseason summer friendly (2-1).
Finally, in UCL action, Barcelona mustered an inspiring run to the semifinals. After defeating and eliminating Primeira Liga club SL Benfica 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16, Barcelona had dispatched Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Barcelona and Serie A club and 2022-23 UCL finalists Inter Milan provided an incredible show for supporters and neutral viewers. The two legs comprised Barcelona rallying from two-goal deficits, with both matches ending 3-3 after regular time. However, with the second leg tied 3-3 (6-6 on aggregate) after regular time, midfielder Davide Frattesi scored the go-ahead goal in extra-time to propel Inter to a second UCL final in three seasons, only to suffer a blowout 5-0 loss against PSG.
Despite coming up short to reaching the UCL final for the first time since 2014-15, Barça nevertheless produced an incredible UCL run, appearing in that competition’s semifinals for the first time since 2018-19, in which they had blown a 3-0 aggregated lead and lost 4-3 on aggregate against eventual winners Liverpool.
Regarding next season, Barcelona have addressed the three main personnel concerns: extending the contracts of star players Raphinha and Yamal, and that of manager Flick. Raphinha and Yamal will be under contract at the club until June 2028 and 2031, respectively, whereas Flick will be under contract through June 2027.
Moreover, Barcelona have some wiggle room to enhance their squad and boast higher chances of winning the 2025-26 UCL title, and perhaps the treble if they were to repeat as LaLiga and Copa del Rey winners. Their sole signing so far is that of goalkeeper Joan García, who has arrived from local rivals Espanyol for €25.0 million. The Spaniard’s arrival likely signals the departure of German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who is likely to sign for Galatasaray after missing almost the entirety of the 2024-25 season due to a ruptured patella.
To become a bona fide UCL title contender and dethrone defending UCL winners PSG, Barcelona will undoubtedly need to pursue renowned players aggressively throughout the transfer window. Despite certain financial constraints, expect the Catalan club to be very active across Europe.
