The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Dec. 7, 2009

With Chelsea losing we knew we'd have a new number one team. And with Barcelona winning both games they played last week, we had a pretty good idea who that team would be. Fine, but what about the rest of the top 25? Specifically, where would Manchester City end up? They would be included, right? Only one way to find out folks. Here you go:

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 16-1-5
Results of note: (chronological order) Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20), drew at then-No. 11 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 4), beat then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-0, Nov. 24), beat then-No. 7 Real Madrid (1-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Deportivo La Coruna hung with Barca for a half on Saturday. At the end of 45 minutes the score was 1-1. Then the floodgates opened and the Blaugrana walked off with a 3-1 victory. Lionel Messi had a brace. Earlier in the week they beat Xerez 2-0.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Dynamo Kiev for the Champions Group stage finale on Wednesday needing just a draw to assure advancement. The Barcelona derby is up after that, on Saturday.

2. Chelsea
Last ranking: 1
Record: 18-4-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4), beat then-No. 4 Man United at home in Premiership (1-0, Nov. 8), won at then-No. 12 Porto (1-0, Nov. 25), won at then-No. 9 Arsenal (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Chelsea lost as many games last week as they had the entire season before that. Not a good week. The Blackburn loss can be at least partly written off to Carlo Ancelotti fielding a "B" side for the match. Saturday's loss at Man City is a different matter. Blues were outplayed and deserved to lose. They deserve to surrender the top spot in our rankings as well. Oh well, it's not like Ancelotti made any cocky predictions about his team making the Premiership or anything. That would be really embarrassing.
Upcoming schedule: Host Nicosia in a meaningless Champions League encounter tomorrow and Everton in the Premiership on Saturday.

3. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 16-4-2
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25), lost at then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 8)
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils had no problems rebounding from the loss to Chelsea, winning both games last week by a combined 6-0 score. They advance to the Carling Cup semis and move within two points of Chelsea with the results. A productive week.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Wolfsburg in a largely meaningless Champions League match tomorrow. Aston Villa is up Saturday at Old Trafford.

4. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 5
Record: 15-4-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21), won at then-No. 19 Bayern Munich (2-0, Nov. 3), beat then-No. 6 Juventus at home (2-0, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: Les girondins defeated Paris Saint-Germain at home 1-0 to maintain their hold on first place in Ligue Un.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Maccabi Haifa at midweek in a completely meaningless Champions League encounter. Bordeaux are through as group winners and nothing that happens in the match or the other in the group (between Bayern Munich and Juventus) will change that. They'll want to rest the troops because a visit to Lyon is on tap for Sunday.

5. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 3
Record: 12-3-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 13. Dynamo Kiev on the road (2-1, Nov. 4), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (2-0, Nov. 24), lost at then-No. 11 Juventus (2-1, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri were defeated by Juventus Turin Saturday. The result breathes life back into the Serie A race, which looked to be all but decided in Inter's favor. Their lead is down to four points over AC Milan; five over Juve.
Upcoming schedule: Host Rubin Kazan on the final Champions League matchday Wednesday. A draw will likely see them through to the elimination round--unless, that is, Barca lose at Dynamo Kiev. Also play at Atalanta di Bergamo on Sunday.

6. AC Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 11-3-6
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21), drew then-No. 5 Real Madrid at home (1-1, Nov. 3), drew against then-No. 22 Olympique Marseille (1-1, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri trounced Sampdoria 3-0 on Saturday to move within four points of leaders Inter. Don't look now, but Leonardo's side haven't lost since that ugly home decision to FC Zurich back on Sept. 30.
Upcoming schedule: Speaking of Zurich, a visit to the Letzigrund is up next. Win and they're though to the elimination round for sure, though Milan can also advance with a loss depending on what happens in the Real Madrid v. Olympique Marseille match. Not that it should come to that. Also host Palermo Sunday.

7. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 7
Record: 12-4-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4). drew at then-No. 17 AC Milan (1-1, Nov. 3), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (1-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The merengues rebounded from the loss in the clasico to defeat Almeira 4-2.
Upcoming schedule: A crucial week. Play at Marseille tomorrow. They'll likely need to win that because FC Zurich can't be expected to give them much help against Milan. Then it's off to Valencia on Saturday.

8. Juventus
Last ranking: 11
Record: 11-6-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 11 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 25), beat then-No. 3 Inter Milan (2-1, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri defeated league leaders Inter Milan on Saturday to perhaps salvage their season. It's certainly their most impressive result on the season to day (see above) and moves them back into the Top 10 after just one week's absence.
Upcoming schedule: Host Bayern Munich tomorrow in a crucial Champions League match. Win or drawand they're through. Lose, and it's Europa League time. Also play at Bari on Saturday.

9. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 9
Record: 20-5-8*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20), drew then-No. 3 Barcelona at home (0-0, Nov. 3), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (0-0, Nov. 24).
Commentary/recent results: Idle. The Russian season is over. Kazan are champions. On to Europe.
Upcoming schedule: Kazan needs a win at San Siro Wednesday to get past Inter and wrap up a spot in the Champions League elimination round. Lose and they could still survive to see Europa League action depending on what happens in Kiev between Dynamo and Barcelona. The Ukranian side are one point behind Kazan in the group.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

10. Sevilla
Last ranking: 8
Record: 12-2-3
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas managed just a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Valladolid (14th place in La Liga at time of this writing). They fall nine points off the pace off Barcelona with the result. Whatever feint title chances Sevilla might have been holding on to are likely shot at this point. No major surprise there.
Upcoming schedule: Host Glasgow Rangers Wednesday in the Champions League finale. They may need to win the match to win the group. Not that that should be much of a challenge. Also play at Sporting Gijon Sunday.

11. Arsenal
Last ranking: 10
Record: 13-4-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29), beat then-No. 20 Liverpool at home in League Cup (2-1, Oct. 28), lost to then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Gunners were blown out 3-0 at Manchester City in the midweek Carling Cup quarterfinal. They rebounded to defeat Stoke City 2-0 at the Emirates (not the country) Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Olympiakos in a meaningless Champions League encounter Wednesday. Then it's off to Anfield Sunday.

12. Valencia
Last ranking: 15
Record: 11-1-6
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: It was a very good week for los xotos, who first put Lille to the sword 3-1 in their Europa League match Wednesday. The win puts Valencia in first place in the group and qualifies them for the next round. Then booked an impressive victory at Athletic Bilbao yesterday to move into third place in La Liga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Real Madrid Saturday with a chance to move level on points with the second-placed club. A top 10 spot in our rankings is in the offing.

13. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 12
Record: 17-0-5
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Sparta Prague in a meaningless Europa League game Thursday, before winning their weekend Eredivisie game against Waalwijk, whoever that is. Even though they're unbeaten in all competition, PSV are just second in the Dutch league, two points behind Twente.
Upcoming schedule:A date with defending Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar is on for Saturday. Close out the Europa League campaign at CFR Cluj a week from Wednesday.

14. Porto
Last ranking: 13
Record: 12-4-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), lost at home to then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes won at Vitoria Guimaraes Friday..
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League group stage finale at Atletico Madrid tomorrow. Vitoria Setubal at home Sunday. A trip to first-place Benfica Lisbon is on tap a week from Sunday.

15. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 14
Record: 14-3-3
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20), lost at then-No. 22 Shakhtar Donetsk in domestic cup (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at home to then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-1, Nov. 4), defeated then-No. 14 Shakhtar Donetsk (3-0, Nov. 21), drew at then-No. 8 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 24).
Commentary/recent results: Won their Ukrainian league match Saturday. They still maintain a five point lead in the Ukrainian league despite the result.
Upcoming schedule: Host Barca in the final Champions League matchday Wednesday. Win and they're in.

16. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 19
Record: 14-3-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Won at AO Xanthi Saturday to maintina their one point lead in the Greek Superleague.
Upcoming schedule: Host Arsenal Wednesday possibly needing a point (depending on what happens in the other game between Alkmaar and Standard Liege) to advance to the Champions League elimination round. Also host Panthrakikos Sunday.

17. Manchester City
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-1-7
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20), beat then-No. 10 Arsenal at home in Carling Cup (3-0, Dec. 2), beat then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (1-0, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: A massive week for Citizens, who knocked off two top 10 teams to get back to the top 25 for the first time since Nov. 2. Obviously the victory over Chelsea was the more impressive of the two. Let's keep in mind this is a team with only one loss on the season (at Man. United back in September) that really should have been a draw.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bolton Wanderers Saturday. Then it's off to White Hart Lane for an intriguing matchup with Tottenham Hotspur

18. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: 16
Record: 8-1-7
Results of note: Won at then-No. 15 VfL Wolfsburg (3-2, Sept. 12), drew at then-No. 14 Hamburg SV (0-0, Oct. 17), drew at then-No. 24 Bayern Munich (1-1, Nov. 22).
Commentary/recent results: Bayer played a scoreless draw at Hannover 96 on Saturday. Fortunately for them, second-placed Werder Bremen didn't manage any better in their game, so Leverkusen's lead atop the Bundesliga table remains three points.
Upcoming schedule: Lowly Hertha Berlin on Friday.

19. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 17
Record: 15-3-4
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28), beat then-No. 10 Dynamo Kiev at home in domestic cup match (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at then No. 16 Dynamo Kiev (3-0, Nov. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Played Bruges to a scoreless draw at home in a meaningless Europa League match. Won their weekend Ukrainian league game to keep pace with Dynamo Kiev. They trail by five points in the standings.
Upcoming schedule: Two Ukrainian league matches, neither against teams I can pretend to have heard of.

20. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 22
Record: 12-4-7
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21), lost at home to then-No. 7 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 3), tied then-No. 19 Bayer Leverkusen at home (1-1, Nov. 22).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on Friday night, to stretch their unbeaten streak to five games. Little victories.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League clash with Juventus is on for tomorrow. Bayern need to win at Turin to advance. Also visit Bochum Saturday.

21. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 18
Record: 12-4-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL continue to flounder, losing 4-3 at Lille yesterday despite holding a 3-1 halftime lead. They're now fourth in Ligue Un.
Upcoming schedule: Host Debreceni in an all-but-meaningless Champions League match Wednesday. Girondins Bordeaux pay a visit Sunday.

22. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: -
Record: 15-3-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 22 Sporting Braga (2-0, Oct. 31), trounced Everton 5-0 in Europa League (Oct. 22)
Commentary/recent results: A week after a scoreless draw with Sporting in the Lisbon derby, Benfica won both games. The first, over BATE Borisov, assures them victory in their Europa League group. The second, over Academica de Coimba, allows them to take first place in Portugal's Liga Sagres (Braga, which previously held the position, drew 1-1 at Leixoes). Benfica's last appearance in the top 25 was Sept. 28, when they were 20th.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Olhanense Saturday.

23. Werder Bremen
Last ranking: 21
Record: 14-1-8
Results of note: Drew at Bayern Munich (1-1, Aug. 18), drew at Leverkusen (0-0, Sept. 20)
Commentary/recent results: Beat Nacional Funchal 4-1 to win their Europa League group. Also played a scoreless draw at Cologne. Bremen sit second in the German Bundesliga, equal on points with Schalke 04 and three points behind leaders Leverkusen.
Upcoming schedule: Host the aforementioned Schalke on Saturday.

24. LDU Quito
Last ranking: 25
Record: 12-2-4
Results of note: Defeated Velez Sarsfield in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.
Commentary/recent results: The defending Copa Libertadores champions pulled off the improbable "double", with a victory in the Copa Sudamericana over Brazil's Fluminense. That would normally move them well into the top 20, but with the massive home field advantage afforded by Quito's altitude and these South American tournaments played over two legs, it's hard to say exactly how good they are.
Upcoming schedule: The return leg at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday.

25. RSC Anderlecht
Last ranking: 24
Record: 16-5-4
Results of note: Lost Champions League qualifier against Olympique Lyon, drew Ajax Amsterdam at home in Europa League group stage (1-1, Oct. 1)
Commentary/recent results: Lost a meaningless Europa League match to Dynamo Zagreb at midweek but won the weekend Jupiler League match to maintain their five point lead in the Belgian first division.
Upcoming schedule: At Westerlo Friday. Host Ajax Amsterdam a week from Thursday.

Dropping Out:
Twente (20) after losing at home to Fenerbahce, Ajax Amsterdam (23) after losing at Utrecht,

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Schalke 04, Besiktas Istanbul.

Photo taken from PeacefmOnline.com without permission.