The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Feb. 15, 2010

Welcome back! It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Barca suddenly looked mortal yesterday, losing at Atletico Madrid. So did Chelsea, thanks to Landon Donovan and Everton a week ago, and Inter Milan, after draws to Parma and Napoli. With the leaders of the "big three" leagues all effectively treading water, would there be a shake-up in the rankings? Only one way to find out. Right here:

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 25-3-6
Results of note: (chronological order) Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) 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), won at then-No. 15 Dynamo Kiev (2-1, Dec. 9), lost to then-No. 10 Sevilla in Copa del Rey, beat then-No. 10 Sevilla at home (4-0, Jan. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Barca suffered just their third loss of the season yesterday, falling to Atletico Madrid 2-1. All goals came in the first 30 minutes. Barca had several absences on defense but these are games the best team in the world really should win even with a thin line up. And yes, we are keeping Barca in the top spot for the simple reason that they have the best record. That and the teams immediately behind didn't exactly impress either. The result of yesterday's game is significant however, because it reduces the defending champs' lead atop the Spanish liga table to a mere two points. The league race is wide open in other words. And Real Madrid happen to host the second match between the two rivals on April 11.
Upcoming schedule: Host Santander Saturday. The first leg of their UEFA Champions league Round of 16 matchup with VfB Stuttgart is in Germany Feb. 23.

2. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 3
Record: 21-3-9
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), beat then-No. 9 Rubin Kazan (2-0, Dec. 9), defeated then-No. 6 AC Milan (2-0, Jan. 24).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri played four times over the last two weeks and did not lose. But they didn't win every game either, in fact the last two (at Parma and Naples) were draws. Inter have a seven point lead in the Serie A standings. Can they afford to start dropping points like this?
Upcoming schedule: Host Sampdoria, who beat them earlier in the season, Saturday before the clash with Chelsea next Wednesday.

3. Chelsea
Last ranking: 2
Record: 27-5-6
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), beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (2-0, Feb. 7).
Commentary/recent results: Blues defeated Cardiff City in the FA Cup yesterday but it's been a less than perfect fortnight for the West London side. Yes, they looked great against Arsenal the weekend before last but Everton made them look downright mid-table (that's what Landon Donovan will do for a club. Keep that in mind ahead of June 12, England fans). Chelsea's lead over Man United is now one solitary point. It's going to be very interesting.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Wolves Saturday but the game we'll be watching is next Wednesday's trip to the San Siro and Inter Milan.

4. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 5
Record: 20-5-4
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), won at then-No. 12 Valencia (3-2, Dec. 12).
Commentary/recent results: The merengues won a pair of 3-0 decisions since we last met. That's four wins in a row. Could Real be peaking at exactly the right time? We'll have to wait and see...
Upcoming schedule: The first leg of their Champions League matchup with Olympique Lyon is tomorrow. Host Villareal at home Sunday.

5. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 25-8-4
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), won at then-No. 5 Arsenal (3-1, Jan. 31).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils played just twice in the past fortnight, defeating Pompey back on Feb. 6 but drawing Aston Villa 1-1 last Wednesday. Now things get interesting, because:
Upcoming schedule: It's off to the San Siro tomorrow for the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 matchup with AC Milan. Then another challenge, at Everton Saturday.

6. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 6
Record: 26-6-4
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), won at then-No. 21 Olympique Lyonnais (1-0, Dec. 13).
Commentary/recent results: Two up, two down for les Girondins since the last edition of le Top 25. They remain first in Ligue Un, but only three points ahead of surprising Montpellier (not the capital of Vermont but a city in southern France. Anyway Montpelier, Vt., is spelled differently).
Upcoming schedule: Visit Lorient Wednesday. Visit Olympiakos for their Champions League matchup Feb. 23.

7. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 7
Record: 21-4-7
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), won at then-No. 8 Juventus (4-1, Dec. 8).
Commentary/recent results: The Bayern resurgence continues as Louis van Gaal's club remains perfect in 2010. They actually haven't lost since Nov. 3. And yet, first place in the Bundesliga is still shared with Leverkusen, whom they just can't seem to shake. Until they do we simply cannot advance them past Bordeaux, who owned the German club in their two Champions League matchups last fall (see above).
Upcoming schedule: Host Fiorentina in the first stage of their Champions League match-up. Visit Nurnberg Saturday. A clash with Hamburg SV follows a week later.

8. Arsenal
Last ranking: 8
Record: 22-9-5
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), beat then-No. 20 Aston Villa at home (3-0, Dec. 27), lost at home to then-No. 8 Manchester United (3-1, Jan. 31), lost at then-No. 2 Chelsea (2-0, Feb. 6)
Commentary/recent results: Arse were outclassed at the Bridge but remain just six points behind the leaders after defeating a (somewhat) resurgent Liverpool squad last Wednesday.
Upcoming schedule: Travel to Portugal for their Champions League match-up with Porto on Wednesday. Host Sunderland Saturday..

9. AS Roma
Last ranking: 13
Record: 21-6-6
Results of note: Lost at home to then-No. 5 Juventus (3-1, Aug. 30), beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina (3-1, Sept. 20), drew at then-No. 2 Inter Milan (1-1, Nov. 8)
Commentary/recent results: Can there be any argument about the hottest team in Europe right now? It's got to be Roma, winner of nine games in a row and an unbeaten streak of 20 (!) dating back to October. In the three years I've been keeping these charts I've never come across anything like this. Oh yeah, the gialorossi have now moved up to second, seven points behind the leaders.
Upcoming schedule: Host Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Europa League match-up Thursday. Host Catania Sunday. Look toward a March 7 date with Milan and March 28 meeting with Inter (both home) to decide the scudetto.

10. Sevilla
Last ranking: 9
Record: 20-5-3
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), beat then-No. 1 Barcelona in Copa del Rey, lost at then-No. 1 Barcelona (4-0, Jan. 16), beat then-No. 13 Valencia at home (2-1, Jan. 31).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas got past Getafe in the Copa del Rey semifinals and followed this up with a victory over Osasuna yesterday. There was a loss to Saragossa in there as well, however. The liga race has long run its course; 16 points separate Sevilla from first-place Barcelona. But third place, and an automatic Champions League qualification is merely four points beyond them.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Mallorca Saturday followed by the first leg of their Champions League match-up with CSKA Moscow. That game is in Russia, a week from Wednesday.

11. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: 11
Record: 20-3-4
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 22 Sporting Braga (2-0, Oct. 31), trounced Everton 5-0 in Europa League (Oct. 22), defeated then-No. 11 Porto at home (1-0, Dec. 20).
Commentary/recent results: With two wins and a draw since the last edition of the Top 25, Benfica were able to take sole possession of first place in the Portuguese league.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Hertha Berlin for what is sure to be an easy Europa League encounter.

12. Porto
Last ranking: 12
Record: 20-5-3
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), lost at then-No. 18 Benfica (1-0, Dec. 20).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes won two and drew one over the last two weeks to keep pace with first-placed Benfica. Unfortunately, they're nine points behind the leaders and eight points behind second-placed Sporting Braga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Arsenal Wednesday. Get their chance against Sporting Braga Sunday. Then Sporting Braga a week later. If Porto are going to right their season, here's their chance.

13. AC Milan
Last ranking: 10
Record: 16-7-9
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), lost at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-0, Jan. 24).
Commentary/recent results: Leonardo's men finally got off the schneid Friday, defeating Udinese 3-2 to end a four game winless streak. But they've dropped to third, nine points behind the leaders.
Upcoming schedule: Host Man U tomorrow. They shouldn't have a chance in this game. But you never know...

14. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 14
Record: 25-1-6
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: PSV rebounded from their first loss of the season (on Jan. 27) to win three in a row. They lead the Dutch Eredivisie by three points.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Hamburg SV for a tough Europa League match-up Thursday.

15. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: 15
Record: 13-1-9
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: After a disappointing draw at Bochum, Leverkusen rebounded with a 2-1 victory over the defending champions Wolfsburg Saturday. They are first in the Bundesliga on goal difference.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bremen Saturday. No European action for these guys but look to a stretch between March 14 and April 10 that will decide the title race. During that time, Bayer face Hamburg SV (currently fourth), Borussia Dortmund (fifth), Schalke (third) and Bayern Munich (second).

16. Valencia
Last ranking: 16
Record: 17-4-9
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), lost at home to then-No. 7 Real Madrid (3-2, Dec. 12), lost at then-No. 11 Sevilla (2-1, Jan. 31).
Commentary/recent results: Los xotos beat Valladolid and drew Sporting Gijon over the last two weeks. They remain third in La Liga.
Upcoming schedule: The Europa League match-up with FC Bruges kicks off Thursday. Host Getafe Sunday.

17. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 18
Record: 18-6-5
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: Olympiakos continued their winning ways, over Levadiakos and Asteras Tripolis to move within three points of first-placed Panathinaikos. Smart money says they'll catch the Athenian side by season end.
Upcoming schedule: At Ergotelis Saturday. Then host Girondins Bordeaux in an intriguing Champions League matchup. It seems the Greek club are in better form at the moment. But we'll have to wait and see what happens this weekend first.

18. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 19
Record: 20-6-8
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), lost at then-No. 5 Inter Milan (2-0, Dec 9).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian season is over. Kazan are champions. Face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Europa League round of 32. The victor faces the winner of Wolfsburg and Villareal.
Upcoming schedule: Host the Israeli club Thursday. The Russian league doesn't start until March 14.

19. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 20
Record: 15-4-3
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), lost at home to then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Dec. 9).
Commentary/recent results: Idle.
Upcoming schedule: Nothing until Feb. 27.

20. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: -
Record: 20-8-7
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), lost at home to then-No. 4 Bordeaux (1-0, Dec. 13)
Commentary/recent results: L'OL have managed to stop their freefall in Ligue Un. They haven't lost a league match this year and have moved up to fourth place as a result, five points behind leaders Bordeaux.
Upcoming schedule: Now things get real. Or Real, as the Spanish juggernauts pay a visit to the Stade Gerland tomorrow.

21. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: 17
Record: 22-6-3
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25), beat then-No. 20 Twente (Dec. 2, 1-0).
Commentary/recent results: Fener hit a bit of a rough spot the last two weeks. They struggled to advance past Bursaspor in what appears to have been two legs of a cup tie and drew their two league matches in that span. These results knocked them out of first place in the Turkcell Super Lig, one point behind Galatasaray.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Lille in intriguing Europa League match-up Thursday.

22. RSC Anderlecht
Last ranking: 21
Record: 23-7-5
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: Anderlecht won the clash against second-placed FC Bruges then lost to some club named Sint Truidense VV. Their game with Charleroi was canceled Saturday, presumably due to weather.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Atletic Bilbao in an intriguing Europa League match-up Thursday.

23. Olympique Marseille
Last ranking: 23
Record: 19-9-7
Results of note: Drew then-No. 12 Girondins Bordeaux at home (0-0, Aug. 30), lost at home to AC Milan (2-1, Sept. 15), lost at then-No. 1 Real Madrid (3-0, Sept. 30), drew at then-No. 12 Olympique Lyon (5-5, Nov. 8), drew at then-No. 13 AC Milan (1-1, Nov. 25), lost at then-No. 7 Real Madrid (3-1, Dec. 8), drew at then-No. 2 Bordeaux (1-1, Jan. 17).
Commentary/recent results: L'OM exited the Coupe de France at Lens last week (by the way "France" and "Lens" rhyme when pronounced correctly) but rebounded with a gutsy win at Monaco Saturday. Marseille are fifth in the French first division, one point behind fourth-placed Lyon and only two behind third-placed Lille with a game in hand over both clubs.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Copenhagen Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League match-up. Host Nancy Sunday.

24. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 24
Record: 17-4-4
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: Nothing.
Upcoming schedule: The first round of the Europa League play-off, at Craven Cottage Thursday.

25. Liverpool
Last ranking: -
Record: 15-13-6
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 4 Chelsea (2-0, Oct. 4), lost at home to then-No. 8 Olympique Lyon (2-1, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 3 Man United at home (2-0, Oct. 25), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal (2-1, Oct. 28) in league cup, drew at then-No. 12 Olympique Lyon (1-1, Nov. 4), lost at home to then-No. 11 Arsenal in Premiership (2-1, Dec. 12), won at then-No. 20 Aston Villa (1-0, Dec. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Liverpool are back. Granted their overall record is not very impressive but Rafa Benitez' squad have fought their way back to fourth place in the Premiership with some pretty decent results these past few months. It's been a long time since we saw them here: Oct. 26 to be exact. Will they manage to stick around?
Upcoming schedule: Face fellow Champions League rejects Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League Thursday followed by a visit to Man City. A crucial visit to Old Trafford is up March 21. Reds won the first encounter, if you'll recall...

Dropping Out:
Twente (22) after losing to Ajax Amsterdam by 3-0, Corinthians (25).

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Chivas de Guadelajara (perfect through five games of the Mexican Clausura), Ajax Amsterdam (defeated Twente, sit third in Eredivisie, undefeated in 2010).

Please note: The Top 25 will next appear March 1. So don't go looking for it in a week and come crying to me. You've been warned.

Photo taken from Goal.com without permission.