Football Champions

Welcome to November. A week of domestic competition is behind us. This week clubs go back to work in the Champions- and Europa Leagues (as well as the Copa Sudamericana but those clubs do not figure in the Top 25 at this point). Here's where they stand ahead of a crucial week in those competitions:

1. Chelsea
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 14-2-0
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).
Commentary/recent results: Blues vindicated our decision of putting them in the top spot by winning both games with ease last week. Didier Drogba and Deco each scored twice in the two victories. Granted their opponent, Bolton Wanderers, whom they faced in a midweek League Cup match as well as in Saturday's Premiership action, is not a top 25 club (or even close). But it's a better week than many other contenders for the this space had...
Upcoming schedule: Visit Atletico Madrid tomorrow in the Champions League. Then things finally get a bit more interesting with a showdown with Man United at the Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 8.

2. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 3
Record: 9-1-4
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).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri won both games with relative ease last week; a 5-3 decision over Palermo (after a 4-0 halftime lead) and 2-0 over Livorno. Their Serie A lead is now seven points. And it's November.
Upcoming schedule: A huge Champions League at Kiev Wednesday. Host AS Roma Sunday in what would normally be an interesting match-up. But Roma are, uh, 14th in Serie A.

3. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record: 10-1-3
Results of note: 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).
Commentary/recent results: Barca had no problem with their minnow opponent in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie, defeating Cultural Leonesa (whoever they are) by 2-nil. But the weekend match was tougher, and Barca did not impress. Though they had a late 1-0 lead at Osasuna, an own goal by Pique two minutes into stoppage time gave the Pamplona side a 1-1 draw against the defending champs.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Rubin Kazan in the Champions League Wednesday. Host Mallorca Saturday.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 12-2-1
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).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of 2-nil wins for Red Devils last week: At Barnsley in the League Cup at midweek and over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday in the Premiership. Neither opponent was very good so we're not moving Man U up. That may change however...
Upcoming schedule: Host CSKA Moscow tomorrow in the Champions League. Visit Chelsea Saturday in the Premiership.

5. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 5
Record: 8-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Disaster befell the merengues at midweek, as they inexplicably lost 4-nil to AD Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey first leg. Luckily for them we don't count results of first legs, even if they are blowouts. Besides, Real could very well come back and win the home leg 5-nil or something. Seriously, it could happen. More importantly, they rebounded to win 2-0 over Getafe on Saturday, to move within a point of leaders Barcelona.
Upcoming schedule: Visit AC Milan in the Champions League tomorrow. Then the Madrid derby at Atletico on Saturday. A big week.

6. Sevilla
Last ranking: 6
Record: 9-2-1
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 had an easy week, defeating Ciudad de Lorqui in the first leg of their Copa del Rey match and at Xerez 2-0 on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Stuttgart Wednesday and Villareal Sunday.

7. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 9
Record: 11-2-2
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).
Commentary/recent results: Bordeaux won both Ligue Un games last week, including a 1-nil decision over second-placed Monaco Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bayern Munich for a crucial Champions League match tomorrow. Also play at Lille Sunday.

8. Porto
Last ranking: 7
Record: 9-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes managed just a 1-1 draw at home to Belenenses Friday night.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Nikosia tomorrow in the Champions League and at Martimo Funchal Sunday.

9. Arsenal
Last ranking: 12
Record: 10-2-2
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).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of impressive wins for Gunners last week. The first, 2-1 over Liverpool in the League Cup plunged Red back into a crisis made even more acute by their loss to Fulham Saturday. The second, 3-0 over Tottenham, sends Spurs fans back to earth and (hopefully) stops them from pining for their club to be included in this list. Who knows, it may even vindicate our decision never to include Spurs in this space. But probably not.
Upcoming schedule: Host AZ Alkmaar in a Champions League tie Wednesday. Visit Wolves Saturday.

10. Juventus
Last ranking: 8
Record: 7-2-5
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).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri won one and lost one last week. The victory was impressive: a 5-1 decision over third-placed Sampdoria at midweek. Then they lost at home to Napoli Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League Wednesday and Atalanta Bergamo in Serie A Saturday.

11. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 11
Record: 18-5-5*
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).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian champs won a domestic league match to hold their one point lead atop the standings.
Upcoming schedule: The return leg against Barcelona is Wednesday. Think Barca will want revenge? Did the Russians want revenge after Stalingrad? Also visit CSKA Moscow over the weekend.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

12. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 13
Record: 11-2-2
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 won at St. Etienne Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Liverpool Wednesday for what might be Rafa Benitez' last match in charge of the Merseyside club. Also host Olympique Marseille Saturday in another massive encounter. A big week for Lyon.

13. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 10
Record: 12-2-3
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).
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo had a rough week, losing to rivals Shakhtar Donetsk in a midweek cup tie and managing just a draw at home to Karpaty Lvov on Saturday, seeing their league lead shrink to four points (over Skakhtar, natch) in the process.
Upcoming schedule: Host No. 2 Inter Milan Wednesday. They get another shot at Shakhtar on Saturday, Nov. 21.

14. Valencia
Last ranking: 15
Record: 7-1-4
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: Los xotos won both road games by 1-nil last week over Alcoyano and Malaga, respectively.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Slavia Prague in Europa League action Thursday. Host Zaragoza Sunday. Their next name brand opponent is Real Madrid, whom they host Dec. 13.

15. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 22
Record: 12-2-3
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).
Commentary/recent results: Defeated Dynamo Kiev in midweek cup tie and won their weekend league cup match against some club I can't pretend to have heard of before.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Toulouse in Europa League action Thursday.

16. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 14
Record: 12-2-1
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: The Greek side won one and lost one last week. They lost against Panserraikos to exit the Greek cup but beat Atromitos Halkidona in league action over the weekend.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Standard Liege Wednesday ahead of a league match Saturday.

17. AC Milan
Last ranking: 21
Record: 7-3-4
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).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri managed just a 2-2 draw at Napoli at midweek before defeating Parma at home by 2-0 on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow. That should be a good one. Visit Lazio Roma Sunday.

18. Manchester City
Last ranking: 17
Record: 8-1-4
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).
Commentary/recent results: Another draw for Citizens, this one at Birmingham City. Oh yeah they also beat Scunthorpe United in a midweek League Cup match. Woop de doo.
Upcoming schedule: Host Burnley Saturday. Then appear to have a two week break before a trip to Anfield on Nov. 21.

19. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 18
Record: 9-3-5
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).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern beat up on Eintracht Frankfurt at midweek to advance a round in the German cup. Then played a scoreless draw at Stuttgart.
Upcoming schedule: Host No. 7 Girondins Bordeaux tomorrow and Schalke on Saturday. A big week for die Bayern.

20. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 25
Record: 12-0-4
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: A week after their season debut in the top 25 PSV showed they belong, winning both Eredivisie games last week. They remain unbeaten in all competition, which is only good enough for second in Holland (Twente are first by two points).
Upcoming schedule: Visit FC Kopenhagen in a Europa League match Thursday and at Den Haag in Eredivisie action Sunday. Hey, Den Haag sounds a little like The Hague doesn't it? Weird.

21. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: 19
Record: 6-3-3
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier, lost at then-No. 13 Olympique Lyon (1-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 13 Liverpool at home (2-0, Sept. 29), tied at then-No. 8 Juventus (1-1, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: La Viola won one and lost one in their two Serie A games last week. They were defeated at Genoa in midweek and beat Catania at home, 3-1, yesterday. Fiorentina remain fifth in Serie A
Upcoming schedule: Host Debreceni in Champions League action Wednesday. Visit Udinese Sunday.

22. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: 23
Record: 9-0-1
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Braga came up with a big win over second-placed Portuguese side Benfica Lisbon Saturday, winning 2-0 at home to expand their lead to three points.
Upcoming schedule: At Vitoria Guimaraes Sunday.

23. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 16
Record: 9-3-4
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: HSV lost at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach to drop to third place in the German Bundesliga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Celtic in a Europa League match Thursday and play at Hannover 96 Sunday.

24. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: -
Record: 6-1-5
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),
Commentary/recent results: Leverkusen make their debut in the Top 25 largely thanks to taking sole possession of first place in the German Bundesliga, where they are unbeaten (their one loss came in a cup tie back in September). But no European action puts a ceiling on how high they can go (see Manchester City and Sporting Braga). Last week they played a 2-2 tie at Schalke 04.
Upcoming schedule: Host Eintracht Frankfurt Friday. A date with Bayern looms Nov. 22.

25. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: 24
Record: 10-2-1
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25)
Commentary/recent results: Fener drew at Kayserispor yesterday but we're keeping them in the Top 25 anyway. With Galatasaray winning, their lead in the Turkcell Super Lig shrinks to three points.
Upcoming schedule: Host Steaua Bucharest in Europa League action Thursday and last-placed Ankaraspor Sunday.

Dropping Out:
Liverpool (20)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
FC Bruges, Galatasaray.

Please Note:
We've officially dropped the goofy "bylaw" that required placing clubs from South and Central America in this list regardless if they deserved it. We'll still include those teams if the situation calls for it, but not just because.