We are on the precipice of a crucial period of the season in world club soccer, where the pretenders are separated from the contenders. So pay close attention to this week's rankings because they may be about to be shaken, not stirred. Remember that we only count two-leg matchups as one result, so while the latest Europa League action is factored into this ranking, the Champions League's is not--yet. As a result the top eight spots don't change much. Okay fine, they don't change at all. But look closely because the whole thing might be shaken up very soon. Plus the second tier is extremely interesting anyway. Enjoy.
1. BarcelonaLast ranking: 1Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 27-3-6
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 have begun to struggle just a wee bit. There was the 1-1 draw at Stuttgart (which again is not taken into account here) and Saturday's hard-fought 2-1 win over Malaga, a team in the thick of a relegation battle. But there was also a 4-0 victory over Racing Santander since the last edition of the Top 25. All in all, it's enough to keep Barcelona tops. But it's getting kinda hectic.
Upcoming schedule: At Almeira, Saturday. Host Valencia Sunday, March 14. Then the return leg against Stuttgart.
2. Inter MilanLast ranking: 2Record: 22-3-10
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 thrice over the last two weeks and did not lose. That's the good news. The bad news is their 2-1 win over Chelsea is unlikely to hold up in the return leg of their Champions League matchup. Plus they dropped points again in a scoreless home draw to Sampdoria. Their Serie A lead is down to four points..
Upcoming schedule: Host Genoa on Sunday, visit Catania a week from Friday. The return leg at Stamford Bridge is the following Tuesday.
3. ChelseaLast ranking: 3Record: 28-6-6
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 played probably their worst game of the season Saturday, losing to Manchester City 4-2 in an encounter that was overshadowed by
Wayne Bridge refusing to shake John Terry's hand. Chelsea's lead over Man United is now one solitary point. It's going to be very interesting.
Upcoming schedule: Host Stoke City Saturday in FA Cup action, West Ham United a week later.
4. Real MadridLast ranking: 4Record: 22-5-4
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 are another club that can be glad we don't factor in the latest Champions League result into our rankings, because as we all know Real were soundly defeated at Olympique Lyon, though a 1-0 margin leaves plenty of opportunity for reversal. It's been a different story in the Spanish liga, with easy back-to-back victories over Villareal and Tenerife (6-2 and 5-1, respectively).
Upcoming schedule: Host Sevilla in a cracker Saturday. Will they be able to avenge the loss earlier this season? Then host the return leg v. Lyon on Wednesday, March 10.
5. Manchester UnitedLast ranking: 5Record: 27-9-4
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 rebounded from the loss at Everton, with a pair of wins. Yesterday's over Aston Villa gives them the first piece of silverware, the Carling Cup. The first of how many? We'll just have to wait and see.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Wolves Saturday. Then host AC Milan in the return leg of their Champions League match-up. Man U won the first, 3-2 and are clearly in the driver's seat to advance to the quarterfinals.
6. Girondins BordeauxLast ranking: 6Record: 27-6-4
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: Les Girondins defeated Lorient 4-1 in a French cup tie and dropped Olympiakos by 1-0 in the first (away) leg of their Champions League matchup. Yesterday's game with Le Mans was canceled.
Upcoming schedule: Host Montpellier Saturday. This is a big game folks; the two sides are now equal on points atop the League Un standings. Bordeaux have two games in hand, but still.
7. Bayern MunichLast ranking: 7Record: 22-4-8
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 moves into first place in the Bundesliga for (I think) the first time this season. The catalyst was a dull 1-0 victory over Hamburg SV yesterday. Bayern will take it. Their lead in the German Bundesliga is now two points over Leverkusen, which could be more had Bayern not dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Nurnberg on Feb. 20. They also take a 2-1 lead into the return leg with Fiorentina.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Cologne Saturday. The aforementioned return leg in Florence is a week from tomorrow.
8. ArsenalLast ranking: 8Record: 24-9-5
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: Gunners booked a pair of easy Premiership victories after going down 2-1 at Porto. They defeated Sunderland on Feb. 20 and bounced back from an early deficit to beat Stoke City 3-1 on Saturday. They're suddenly back in the thick of the Premiership race.
Upcoming schedule: Host Burnley, Saturday. Then host Porto for the return leg, needing a win by either 1-0 or two goals to advance. Visit Hull City the following Saturday. Gunners have an easy Premiership schedule the rest of the way; other than a match at White Hart Lane on April 10, only Man City (April 24) and Fulham (May 9) should be potential stumbling blocks. And both those games are home.
9. SevillaLast ranking: 10Record: 21-5-4
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 played a disappointing scoreless draw with Bilbao yesterday. They previously defeated Mallorca and notched an important 1-1 away draw at CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Champions League matchup. The Mallorca victory was massive as they have a three point edge over that team in the Liga standings. Sevilla are fourth, three points behind Valencia.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Real Madrid Saturday. Host Deportivo La Coruna a week from Sunday. The return leg with CSKA is the following Tuesday.
10. Benfica LisbonLast ranking: 11Record: 22-3-4
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: Benfica had no problems with Hertha Berlin in the Europa League, advancing easily by an aggregate score of 4-1. They also defeated Leixoes by the same score in Liga Sagres on Saturday. Their lead in the Portuguese league is one point over Sporting Braga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Pacos de Ferreira Sunday before the next stage of the Europa League ensues. Benfica host Olympique Marseille in the first leg a week from Thursday. That should be interesting.
11. Olympique LyonnaisLast ranking: 20Record: 22-8-7
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: Don't look now but l'OL has not given up a goal since Jan. 31. We had all but written off their season a few weeks ago. But now they're just two points behind co-leaders Montpellier and Bordeaux in Ligue Un and on the cusp of a major upset in the Champions League elimination round. In their last two league matches they defeated Sochaux by 4-0 and Nice by 2-0. We did say we wouldn't take the Real Madrid match into consideration until the return leg is played, but we're moving Lyon up just in case...
Upcoming schedule: Visit Boulogne Saturday followed by the all-important return leg match at the
sixth-biggest soccer mecca in the world. Lyon take a 1-0 lead into that match. The way they're playing now it might just be enough. We'll see.
12. AC MilanLast ranking: 13Record: 19-7-9
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: The 3-2 home loss to Man United in the first leg of their Champions League matchup was unfortunate and will in all likelihood lead to Milan's exit from said tournament. But they rebounded nicely with three wins in a row in Serie A, to narrow their deficit to first-placed Inter Milan to four points. There's still everything to play for in Serie A. Of course that could be all that's left to play for as well, depending on how the Champions League return legs play out.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Roma Saturday in a crucial Serie A encounter. Then it's to Old Trafford and the return leg vs. Man United on Wednesday, March 10.
13. PortoLast ranking: 12Record: 21-6-3
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 beat up on second-placed Sporting Braga a week ago but yesterday went down 3-0 at Sporting Lisbon. The loss is significant because it leaves Porto nine points behind leaders Benfica. I don't know if they can come back from that (though they do host Benfica on the penultimate Liga Sagres matchday, May 2). There was also that little 2-1 first leg victory over Arsenal but we'll have to wait and see if that holds up.
Upcoming schedule: Host Olhanense Sunday before the trip to Emirates a week from tomorrow.
14. Rubin KazanLast Ranking: 18Record: 21-6-8
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 champs had no problem with Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning 3-0 on aggregate to advance to the round of 16 in the Europa League.
Upcoming schedule: Face German champions VfL Wolfsburg in the next stage of the Europa League. The Russian league kicks off March 14.
15. AS RomaLast ranking: 9Record: 22-7-7
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: We labeled Roma the hottest team in Europe a fortnight ago. That may have been true at the time, but it isn't anymore. Yes, the
gialorossi kept their unbeaten streak in Serie A alive and are now in third place. But the team also exited the Europa League at the hands of Panathinaikos, who weren't even on our radar (but are now, as you'll see in a bit).
Upcoming schedule: Host AC Milan, Saturday, the team they trail by three points. First placed Inter are seven points afield. But that deficit too can still be negated. The two sides meet Mach 28 in Rome.
16. Bayer LeverkusenLast ranking: 15Record: 13-1-11
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: The good news is Leverkusen is still unbeaten in league play this season. The bad news is they're no longer first after a pair of disappointing draws with Werder Bremen and Cologne.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Nurnberg Sunday. Then host Hamburg SV on Sunday, March 14. A clash with Bayern Munich looms April 10.
17. ValenciaLast ranking: 16Record: 19-6-9
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 defeated FC Bruges in the Europa League 3-1 on aggregate and beat Getafe last Monday but yesterday they came undone against Atletico Madrid, losing 4-1 in their home ground. Valencia remain third in La Liga, 15 points off the pace of Barcelona. Sevilla is four points behind them. That race has obviously run its course, but there's still everything to play for in Europe.
Upcoming schedule: Host Racing Santander a week from today. The next round of the Europa League ensues the following Thursday with Werder Bremen, at home.
18. OlympiakosLast ranking: 17Record: 19-6-6
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 drew Ergotelis, lost at home to Bordeaux in the first leg of their Champions League matchup, before rebounding with a win over Atromitos Halkidona yesterday. They obviously have their work cut out for them in Europa, but in the Greek Super League they trail leaders Panathinaikos by just two points.
Upcoming schedule: At Iraklis Saloniki Saturday, followed by another Greek league match the following weekend. The return leg at Bordeaux is March 17.
19. Dynamo KievLast ranking: 19Record: 16-4-3
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: Dynamo won their first match of 2010, against some Ukrainian club. They maintain a two point lead atop the standings, with a game in hand over second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk.
Upcoming schedule: It's just domestic action the rest of the way, so Dynamo will have to play their cards right to keep their spot in the Top 25. Their next match against Shakhtar isn't until May 5, the penultimate match day.
20. Olympique MarseilleLast ranking: 23Record: 22-9-7
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: Four straight wins for l'OM, including an easy one over Copenhagen in the Europa League. They're still in the hunt for the Ligue Un title as well; just three points behind co-leaders Montpellier and Bordeaux and one behind second-placed Lyon with a game in hand on all but Bordeaux.
Upcoming schedule: Host Lorient Saturday, followed by the first leg of their next Europa League encounter, with Benfica Lisbon. That one should be interesting.
21. RSC AnderlechtLast ranking: 22Record: 26-7-5
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 defeated Atletic Bilbao by an impressive 5-1 on aggregate and followed this up with a 2-1 win at Roeselare, whoever that is. They now have a nine point lead in the Jupiler League with a game on hand over second-placed FC Bruges with only two matchdays remaining. Can that be true?
Upcoming schedule: Host Genk Saturday, then face Hamburg SV in what promises to be a tough Europa League Round of 16.
22.OSC LilleLast ranking: -Record: 19-11-6
Results of note: Beat
then-No. 7 Girondins Bordeaux at home (2-0, Nov. 8), lost at
then-No. 14 Valencia (3-1, Dec. 2), beat
then-No. 18 Olympique Lyon (4-3, Dec. 6), lost at
then-No. 23 Olympique Marseille in cup tie (2-1, Jan. 27), beat
then-No. 21 Fenerbahce Istanbul in Europa League (3-2 on aggregate).
Commentary/recent results: We have to give l'OSC credit for their victory over Fenerbahce, whom we (erroneously, it turned out) deemed the better club. But Lille lost a costly game yesterday against Auxerre and are now fifth in Ligue Un. But they're still very much alive for the title, just four points behind co-leaders Bordeaux and Montpellier.
Upcoming schedule: Play at St. Etienne Saturday. Host Liverpool a week from Thursday in what promises to be an interesting Europa League matchup. It had better be or one of the teams will exit the Top 25 probably for good.
23. PanathinaikosLast ranking: -Record: 26-6-3
Results of note: Lost Champions League qualifier with
then-No. 17 Atletico Madrid (5-2 on aggregate), lost at home to
then-No. 18 Galatasaray in Europa League group play (1-0, Sept. 17), lost at
then-No. 19 Olympiakos (2-0, Nov. 29), beat
then-No. 9 AS Roma in Europa League round of 32 (6-4 on aggregate).
Commentary/recent results: It's been some time coming, but we finally give Panathinaikos their due after a stirring upset of AS Roma in the Europa League. Truth is, every other time they were on the threshold of the Top 25, the lack of "quality wins" kept them out. No longer. Roma's number nine rank might have been a bit inflated but it's hard to dispute they were the best club Panathinaikos faced all season. There is also the matter of sitting in first place in the Greek Super League
Upcoming schedule: Host Levadiakos Saturday. The Europa League resumes with Standard Liege the following Thursday.
24. PSV EindhovenLast ranking: 14Record: 26-2-7
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9), defeated Ajax Amsterdam at home (4-3, Aug. 16)
Commentary/recent results: PSV were ousted by Hamburg SV in the Europa League round of 32. It was close, with HSV advancing only by virtue of the away goal rule. Unfortunately this means we'll never truly know how good this team is. They're best in Holland, obviously, but how good is that?
Upcoming schedule: Visit NAC Breda Saturday before visiting Ajax Amsterdam in a match that could decide the Eredivisie title, or at least determine if Ajax is going to have anything to do with the outcome. The Amsterdam club sit third, seven points behind PSV. Second-placed Twente are a point behind the leaders.
25. LiverpoolLast ranking: 25Record: 17-13-7
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), lost at
then-No. 8 Arsenal (1-0, Feb. 10) in Premiership.
Commentary/recent results: Reds manage to keep their top 25 spot one week after returning from a long absence. They defeated Unirea Urziceni (themselves a Top 25 club at one point) in their Europa League matchup, played a scoreless draw at Manchester City and yesterday defeated Blackburn 2-1. They're sixth in the Prem, but only one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Wigan a week from Monday, followed by the first leg of what promises to be a tricky Europa League matchup with Lille. A crucial visit to Old Trafford is up March 21. Reds won the first encounter, if you'll recall...
Dropping Out:Fenerbahce (
21) after being eliminated by Lille in the Europa League, Shakhtar Donetsk (
24) after being eliminated by Fulham in the Europa League.
Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received): Chivas de Guadelajara (perfect through eight games of the Mexican Clausura, which I think is some kind of record), Sporting Lisbon (3-0 victory over Porto, eliminated Everton in Europa League), Juventus (unbeaten since Jan. 28, defeated Ajax Amsterdam in Europa League), Velez Sarsfield (5-1-2 in all competition including 2-0 in Copa Libertadores), Allianza Lima (4-1-2 in all competition including 2-0 in Copa Libertadores, with a 4-1 victory over defending champions Estudiantes)
Note: The next episode of the Top 25 will appear March 15.
Photo taken from ESPN Soccernet without permission.
If you liked last week's shakeout, you're going to love this; four teams have been dropped from the Top 25 altogether, including one that was earlier making pretensions (appropriate choice of word) at a top 10 spot. Chelsea were swiftly punished for their Champions League exit while the fortunes of Inter Milan and others improved vastly. Let's get to it:
Welcome back! This week comes our first big shakeup of the season, as two clubs from the top half of our table were eliminated from European competition. One of these teams had very real pretensions of making a run at the final season top spot. Or so they thought. They were exposed as mere pretenders at the hands of a French club that wasn't even in the top three in its own league. But last week may have just been the first of a larger shakeup. The next few days will see four more clubs eliminated from the Champions League tourney. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Here is where things stand right now: