Most Lethal Attacks in Europe: Bayern Dominates, Real Madrid and Man City Trail

The old adage says that the best defence is a good offence - and in football, that means a formidable attack.

From the fast-paced action in La Liga to the thrilling encounters in the English Premier League and beyond, certain clubs have left a trail of goals, dazzling fans and pundits alike.

From Girona's surprise surge to the summit in Spain to Bayern Munich's dominance, some teams have showcased a remarkable ability to find the back of the net consistently.

Sports Brief explores the 10 best lethal attacking clubs of the 2023/24 season so far, celebrating the scoring brilliance that has defined this football campaign.

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Football

10. Real Madrid - 28 goals

Despite adamantly resisting the replacement of talisman, Karim Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti's squad has performed admirably so far.

The absence of the French veteran, who was the leading scorer for the club in recent seasons, has been scarcely felt by Los Blancos.

In the 2023-2024 season, Real Madrid - thanks in part to Jude Bellingham - has been close to flawless. Having scored 11 goals in as many games in the Spanish top flight, per Transfermarkt, the Englishman appears to have filled the void left by Benzema.

The 35-time Spanish champions have netted an impressive 28 goals in 13 outings, suffering only one defeat, drawing twice, and securing 10 wins in the process.

9. Atletico Madrid - 29 goals

Atletico Madrid, recognised for their emphasis on defence, have surprisingly positioned themselves among the most potent teams in Europe's top five leagues.

In the current Spanish campaign, Diego Simeone's charges have not only maintained a solid defensive performance but have also showcased an impressive attacking force led by Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann.

Outscoring their city rivals, Real Madrid, the Rojiblancos have recorded 29 goals in 12 games, including nine victories, a draw, and two losses.

8. Aston Villa - 29 goals

When it comes to historical significance, there are few clubs worldwide that can match Aston Villa.

In its early years, Villa stood out as one of the most consistently successful teams in English football, clinching numerous First Division, FA Cup, and League Cup titles.

Notably, they belong to the exclusive group of five English clubs that have secured the prestigious European Cup/Champions League title, as cited by Football History.

Fast forward to 2023 and under the guidance of Unai Emery, Aston Villa finds itself in the elite echelons of European football, showcasing an entertaining and dynamic style of play.

The Birmingham-based club have impressively netted 29 goals in just 12 Premier League games, surpassing giants such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

7. Paris Saint-Germain - 29 goals

With an attacking quartet featuring Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos - plus the heir-apparent to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe - it should be no surprise that the French champions secured a spot among the best attacking sides in Europe.

While their current offensive line-up might not match the star power of previous seasons when PSG boasted Lionel Messi, Neymar Junior, and Mbappe, Luis Enrique's team is still delivering the desired results.

Despite a somewhat slower start to the season, the Parisians have netted 29 goals in just 12 Ligue 1 matches.

6.VfB Stuttgart - 29 goals

Emerging as one of the season's unexpected success stories, VfB Stuttgart is currently holding its ground among European football giants, a credit to the tactical prowess of coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who is being hailed as one of Germany's top football minds.

The 41-year-old, a former attacking midfielder himself, has crafted a finely tuned team, with Stuttgart showcasing a stylish and potent offensive approach.

A significant contributor to their success is the prolific Guinean striker, Serhou Guirassy, who stands just two goals behind Harry Kane, boasting an impressive 15 goals.

The five-time Bundesliga champions appear driven by a clear mission, having netted an outstanding 29 goals. As they continue to excel, they pose a formidable challenge to league leaders, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

5. Inter Milan - 29 goals

Unfazed by the disappointment of their UEFA Champions League final defeat, Inter Milan has propelled forward under the tactical guidance of Simone Inzaghi, aiming to secure their 20th Serie A title.

Despite the ostensibly defensive nature of their preferred 3-5-2 formation, the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium club has defied expectations, showcasing an attacking prowess in their first 12 league matches.

Guided by the charismatic captain, Lautaro Martinez, Inter have netted 29 goals. To put this into perspective, they stand as the most prolific club in the Italian top flight, surpassing the goal tallies of last season's champions, Napoli, as well as Juventus and city rivals, AC Milan.

4. Girona - 31 goals

Would you believe it if we informed you that a Catalonia club other than FC Barcelona, or Espanyol to some extent, is the most lethal team in La Liga?

Well, you better, because Girona, part of the Abu Dhabi-owned City Football Group and based at the Estadi Montilivi, has astonished the Spanish top division with their remarkable performance in the current campaign.

Seeming to mirror the fairy-tale run of Leicester City's 2015-16 Premier League-winning season, the White and Reds have ascended to the summit of La Liga, surpassing traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid, reigning champions Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.

Adding insult to the Big Three's struggles, Girona has scored an incredible 31 goals in just 13 games, averaging an exceptional 2.3 goals per game.

3. Manchester City - 32 goals

Transitioning from one club in the City Football Group to another, Manchester City - the flagship team of the Abu Dhabi-owned football conglomerate - unsurprisingly stands among Europe's elite attacking sides.

Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, the Spanish mastermind, City has consistently excelled in terms of goal output season after season, and the current season is no exception.

In 12 games, the Citizens have accumulated 32 goals in the Premier League, with Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal-scoring sensation, making a substantial contribution to this tally.

2. Bayer Leverkusen - 34 goals

Bayer Leverkusen, standing among the few unbeaten clubs in Europe, is savouring a remarkable campaign under the management of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso, regarded as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, has brought a sense of promise to the BayArena outfit.

The club has witnessed false dawns in the past, notably during the Peter Bosz era, where a significant dip followed strong performances against Bayern Munich up to the winter break in form.

There have also been memorable close calls, such as the near-treble in 2002 with runner-up finishes in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League.

Despite these historical nuances, the current Leverkusen team displays a peculiar strength, and only time will unveil their final standing at the season's end.

Nevertheless, their outstanding performance in 11 Bundesliga games has resulted in a tally of 34 goals.

1. Bayern Munich - 42 goals

At the pinnacle stands the perennial European powerhouse and Bundesliga dominator, Bayern Munich, now led by Thomas Tuchel.

In a mere 11 games, the Bavarians have amassed an astonishing 42 goals, averaging an astounding 3.8 goals per game.

To contextualise their remarkable achievement, Bayern has scored twice the number of goals Chelsea recorded in the Premier League and more than triple the total goals of Manchester United in the EPL.