Soccer Source

Friday Footie Link List, March 22, 2008

2008-03-22T00:10:00.000-04:00

First things first: shameless self-promotion time. AmericanSoccerNews.net, which has (not without merit) billed itself as the very first online soccer news service covering MLS, is back. Actually, it didn't really go anywhere, but it has relaunched with a new domain: american-soccer-news.com (though the old one will get you there as well). Why is this self-promotion? Because I am involved with it. In fact, it is this which has been keeping me from my Soccer-Source duties.

The new site really is great. Each team has its own mini-site, for example the Red Bulls are redbulls.american-soccer-news.com (they even have a poll on how the team is expected to do this year. The Houston Dynamo site has one too). I could go on about how great it is but even shameless self-promotion has its limits and I've just reached mine.

Speaking of the Red Bulls, the team has launched an official blog, the Red Bulls Reader. It offers a lot of inside stuff you couldn't get anywhere else (~~especially~~ not even with a press pass). This week they had a post on the team's bowling trip in Austria, to name just one recent example.

Still on the subject of New York/New Jersey's team (more on that impasse in a bit), WVHooligan has an excellent season preview of the team formerly known as the Metrostars. In response to the question if the team has done enough to improve from last year, WVH states "I don’t think they have done nearly enough to compete with DC, New England and even Kansas City or Chicago." Yep, I'm going to have to agree with that. All of the aforementioned teams made improvements to their roster (in some instances, such as DC United, significant improvements) while Red Bull did essentially nothing. Word has it the new coach is close to signing one or even two players from South America. Unless they're a top notch defender and playmaking midfielder I honestly don't see how the team will make the playoffs this year. But that's just one man's opinion.

MLS Rumors is class. MLS Rumors is quality. MLS Rumors does stuff soccer (and other) journalists everywhere should but don't because they're lazy and lack initiative. Case in point: they track down the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office to get us, the fans, the likely names of MLS' next team, which will begin play in Seattle next year. This is stuff that's publicly available, folks. Why didn't anybody else think of that? Why didn't anybody other than Al Gore think of inventing the Internet? We are all mere mortals and they are simply several levels ahead of us.

Finally, PitchInvasion (which, I just notice have adapted the same WordPress theme for their site that I did for ASN) have another story of the high quality we have come to expect from them, on the possibility of a second team for the New York City area, likely to play in Queens. Very interesting stuff, that. (Full disclosure: the story also contains a reference to an interview this site did with the brains behind the team's supporters club, the Borough Boys, which I like to think gave the whole venture its start, though that is probably like Al Gore thinking he invented the Internet).

The World's Top 25 Soccer Clubs, March 10, 2008

2008-03-10T00:32:00.005-04:00

First of all, please check out the new ASN, which (along with my real job and basic human needs such as sleep) is what has been keeping me from my Soccer Source duties. As for the Top 25, it was a very telling week, with the UEFA Champions League proving the worth of many rankings, while debunking others. Onwards...

1. (3) Arsenal. L'Arse take the top spot by virtue of their stellar Champions League victory at AC Milan. We'll forgive their transgression with Wigan yesterday, even though it may end up costing them the Premiership. For those keeping score, this its the third weekend in a row that Gunners have failed to defeat an inferior opponent. I have for some time argued that Wigan are not that bad of a side, but I don't exactly see them in the Champions League anytime soon. Also from the records department: this is Arsenal's first appearance atop the list since Oct. 29. Gooners host Middlesbrough Saturday.

2. (4) Inter Milan. The nerrazurri beat Reggina Calcio in their final warm-up to the crucial Champions League return leg against Liverpool (which, lest we forget, they need to win by two goals. Unless Liverpool score one in which case they need to win by three). So this could be the last time we see Inter this high up in the standings. Also host Udinese Sunday.

3. (5) Roma. A massive victory over Real Madrid last Wednesday catapults the gialorossi into top five status. And why not? Luciano Spalletti's men have won all but one of their last six games (and that was at Inter Milan, which they tied). Do they have what it takes to win the Champions League? Perhaps. It depends on who they are drawn with in the quarterfinals. I just hope it isn't Man Utd. for obvious reasons. This week, Roma take on AC Milan at home, Saturday.

4. (1) Manchester United. Had no problems with Lyon in the return leg of their Champions League round, then were put to the sword by Pompey on Saturday. So much for the treble. Up next: Derby County, Saturday. Any chance they'll score 10 goals? Any chance they won't?

5. (2) Real Madrid. Bye bye Champions League. Has it really been six years since Real last won that competition? At least things are looking good in the Primera, where they beat Espanol. A trip to Deportivo La Coruna is next, Saturday.

6. (9) Bayern Munich. Destroyed RSC Anderlecht in their UEFA Cup match then saw off Karlsruhe (it's pronounced Karls-rooh) to open up a seven point lead in the Bundesliga. Things are looking rosy for Bayern, who very well might still win a treble and are looking like the team to beat in the UEFA Cup. The return leg against Anderlecht is Wednesday followed by Karl Marx Stadt (I think that's what Cottbus' cold war name was. Could be wrong).

7. (12) Liverpool. Just like that Rafa Benitez' men are a top 10 side. A few short weeks ago many pundits (including, it should be admitted, this one) had them written off as also-rans or worse. This week they produced two impressive victories against West Ham and Newcastle. Okay, neither exactly reminds of the 1970 Brazil side but considering what the rest of the "Big Four" pulled this weekend it's pretty good. Inter is on tomorrow. Reading visit Anfield Saturday.

8. (6) Barcelona. As expected, Celtic did not present much of a problem. Villareal did, however, and after losing at home Barca are eight point in arrears of Real. Plus Lionel Messi is out for a month. But they're still alive in Europe, which is something their hated rivals from the Spanish capital cannot claim. Play at Almeira Sunday.

9. (7) Chelsea. Had no problems with Olympiakos to advance to the UCL quarterfinals, then lost against Barnsley in the FA Cup. That may have been their best chance at silverware this season, though they are "only" eight points behind Arsenal with a game in hand in the Premiership. That game is Derby County Wednesday. Travel to Sunderland Saturday as well.

10. (16) Fenerbahce. A massive come back against Sevilla has Zico's men in the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since...I don't even know when. Also beat some Turkish team to keep pace with the leaders (Besiktas and Galatasaray) in the Turkcell Liga. We'll see who they're drawn with in the UCL quarters. This could get interesting...

11. (11) Olympique Lyonnais. The return leg at Old Trafford went as expected but then rebounded with a nice 4-2 victory over second-placed Girondins Bordeaux in Ligue Un. A crucial victory that may just put them on track for (yet) another league title. Now have a six point lead. Play at Monaco this weekend.

12. (10) AC Milan. Lost at home to new #1 Arsenal, then beat Empoli yesterday. Travel to Roma Saturday for what could be a good one.

13. (13) Fiorentina. A nice victory over Everton in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 had La Viola all prepped to make a significant move into the Top 10. Then they lost to Siena yesterday. The return leg at Everton is Wednesday then it's FC Genoa Sunday.

14. (8) FC Porto. Were not able to beat Schalke, who were widely viewed as the very worst of the 16 teams left in the Champions League. They're undoubtedly one of the eight left now. As for Porto, they have disgraced me and I will not forgive them for it. Won their second game this week against some Portuguese team. They have a massive lead in the bwinLIGA but that's small consolation at this point.

15. (16) PSV Eindhoven. Won at White Hart Lane in the UEFA Cup. Their second game last week, a top-of-the-table Eredivisie clash with Ajax, was canceled. The return leg with Spurs is in two days followed by some Dutch team Sunday.

16. (19) Glasgow Rangers. A good week for Gers, who beat Werder Bremen in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 16 match and saw off Hibs yesterday.

17. (21) Boca Juniors. Beat up Mexican side (and sometimes contender for Top 25 spots) Atlas in the Copa Libertadores, winning 3-0 to go top in their group. Then came back to tie Independiente in the Clausura. Play at Atletico Huracan Saturday. The next Copa Lib game is a week Thursday at Colo Colo Santiago.

18. (14) Olympiakos. Went down in flames at Stamford Bridge to make me look like an idiot. Thanks, guys. Did win their Greek Super League game to stay in contention for that title.

19. (-) Fluminense. The Rio de Janeiro side make their debut on the list thanks to a 6-0 beatdown of reigning Copa Sudamericana champions Arsenal de Sarandi (themselves a top 25 side--top 20 in fact--going into the game). Are also unbeaten in the Carioca-Copa Rio, which is a warmup tournament nobody seems to care about much. Play two games there this week before a trip to Paraguay's Liberdad for their next Copa Lib encounter a week from Wednesday.

20. (24) Juventus. Beat Genoa on the road to hold on to their Champions League spot. Not bad for a newly-promoted side. Host Naples Sunday.

21. (-) Estudiantes. The La Plata side make their debut on this list thanks to a good showing in the Copa Libertadores (where they beat Danubio Montevideo) and Argentine Clausura (a scoreless tie at River Plate).

22. (-) River Plate. Only played once since their victory over Club America in the Copa Lib (see above) but are still unbeaten in the Clausura. Things get interesting this week with a trip to Universidad Catolica in Wednesday Copa Libertadores action and Racing Club at home Saturday.

23. (20) Chivas de Guadelajara. Lost at Brazil's Santos in the Copa Libertadores (their first loss off 2008) but rebounded with a nice win over Toluca.

24. (15) Werder Bremen. Were beaten at Ibrox in the first leg of the UEFA Cup, then lost at VfB Stuttgart 6-3 to finish a very bad week.

25. (-) Schalke 04. I don't think I've ever heard of a team that is in "crisis" (Krisenmannschaft, as the German press refers to them) to make it to the Champions League quarterfinals, as Schalke did last week. Okay so it took them penalties and maybe Porto were not quite as good as some (i.e. me) had claimed but let's give them credit nonetheless. Schalke also won at Bielefeld and are now fifth in the Bundesliga. Host Duisburg (it's pronounced Doos-borg) Friday.

Dropping out: Arsenal de Sarandi (16), Hamburg SV (22), Caracas FC (23), Lanus (25)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received): Sao Paulo, Everton, Santos, Ajax Amsterdam, Flamenco, Velez Sarsfield, Santos Laguna, Club San Luis.

The Wednesday Wrap: Gunners Grand In CL As English Teams March On

2008-03-05T00:47:00.000-05:00

Arsenal pulled off a huge coup at the San Siro yesterday, notching two late goals to oust AC Milan from the Champions League. Gunners were at a disadvantage going into the game, with the teams having played a scoreless first leg at Emirates. But Arsene Wenger's side outplayed their Italian opponents a fortnight ago and they did so again today. Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor (on a brilliant assist by Theo Walcott) scored for the visitors. It was a very strong effort by Gunners after a pair of subpar performances in the Premiership (ties with the Birmingham clubs on back-to-back weekends). As for Milan, the defending champs never really found their form this season after a disastrous start and this was the logical outcome. Yes, they won the Club World Championship, but does anybody outside Northern Italy and wherever it is that Berlusconi is holed up truly believe this is the best team in the world? Hard to fathom. (To get a more realistic idea of who might actually be able to claim that honor, scroll down to the latest Top 25 standings or click here if you're too inpatient). But let's not diminish Arse's efforts. Few teams win at San Siro--fewer still in European competition. Actually, Arsenal are the first English club to have ever pulled off the feat.

Man United's victory over Lyon was no real surprise but how about Fenerbahce's comeback against Sevilla? Fener were themselves in less than perfect poor form domestically and saw their Top 25 ranking fall from a peak of ninth on Feb. 11 to 17th this week. But this was still much better than Sevilla, who haven't made the Top 25 at all in recent memory (if they ever did). This caused me to pick Fener to advance in my fearless forecast of the Round of 16. I was nervous for a while that this wouldn't come to fruition and indeed it nearly didn't. But Zico's men didn't give up and vindicated my faith in them. Oh yeah Barca won too. Big surprise. This makes Soccer Source three-for-four in yesterday's matches. As for tomorrow's, uh, let's not go there.

The World's Top 25 Soccer Clubs, March 3, 2008

2008-03-03T00:44:00.002-05:00

It's been a very busy week for the Soccer Source crew (that would be me) for reasons that are utterly unimportant to you so I won't waste your time with them. Instead, I will delve right into what you came here for: the top 25...

1. (1) Manchester United. Won at Craven Cottage, as might have been expected, to close the gap with l'Arse to a single point. Face Lyon in the return leg of their Champions League round tomorrow and Pompey (also at Old Trafford) on the weekend.

2. (6) Real Madrid. Beat Recreativo Huelva Saturday to take a nice jump in the standings (the Top 25, not the Liga, which they already lead by five points). Now things get serious with Roma on the docket for Wednesday's Champions League Round of 16 return. Real only need to win 1-0 to advance. But Roma are in good form. Real also face Espanyol Barcelona at the Bernabeu Saturday. Depending on how things go this week they could be the top team in the world (according to this list) next week or barely top 10. We'll have to wait and see...

3. (2) Arsenal. Were fortunate to salvage a tie against Villa Saturday. But this was the second weekend in a row that they've dropped points when they weren't supposed to. Up next for Gunners: The Champions League rematch with AC Milan tomorrow. They'll need to score some goals to advance, which doesn't look very likely the way things have been going. But the CL is a different animal, as Liverpool has proven several times.

4. (3) Inter Milan. Just when you thought they had clinched the Serie A title after the midweek draw with Roma, Inter lost at Napoli yesterday--their first Serie A loss this season. OK so it probably won't matter anyway (even though Roma did win. More on them later). The nerrazurri face Reggina Calcio in their final warm-up to the crucial Champions League return leg against Liverpool (which, lest we forget, they need to win by two goals. Unless Liverpool score one in which case they need to win by three).

5. (5) Roma. After a disappointing tie with Inter at midweek, the gialorossi took out their frustration on Parma with a 4-0 victory. The Serie A championship is probably out of reach but the Champions League could still happen. They'll need to withstand Real Madrid Wednesday though.

6. (4) Barcelona. Faced a challenging week and did not exactly pass with flying colors. First, the home draw against Valencia in the Copa del Rey, which leaves Barca in a tough position for the return leg. The loss to Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, cost them crucial points in the Primera race. But that Ronaldhino goal sure was nice. No rest for the weary though: Celtic visits Camp Now tomorrow, then it's third-place Villareal who pays a visit.

7. (9) Chelsea. Trounced West Ham Saturday (Lampard, Ballack and the Cole brothers scored). Solidly in third place but probably not going higher than that. Olympiakos visits Wednesday. Chelsea need to win that to advance. Their weekend game is quite a bit easier, against Barnsley in the FA Cup.

8. (8) FC Porto. Beat some Portuguese team in a cup game then managed only a tie at Boavista on the weekend. It probably won't make a difference though as Porto are cruising toward another league title (12 point lead at press time). Host Schalke Wednesday and need to win by two goals to advance. That won't be easy. If they fail the inevitable drop from this high perch will follow. But let's wait until then, shall we?

9. (10) Bayern Munich. Beat crosstown rivals 1860 Munich in the DFB Pokal at midweek, but needed overtime to do it. Then won at Schalke on the weekend. UEFA Cup Round of 16 first leg with RSC Anderlecht is on Thursday.

10. (7) AC Milan. Tied both games last week, at Catania and at home to Lazio. That's not good, especially with Arsenal visiting tomorrow. Also play Empoli Sunday. Travel to Roma a week Saturday for what could be a good one.

11. (14) Olympique Lyonnais. Won at Lille Saturday. The UCL return leg at Old Trafford is tomorrow. Do Lyon have a chance? Probably not, but they'll play the game anyway. And who knows, they "only" need to win...

12. (16) Liverpool. Beat Bolton Wanderers yesterday. Play at home twice this week, against West Ham Wednesday and Newcastle. Inter awaits a week from tomorrow.

13. (20) Fiorentina. La Viola won both Serie A games last week, the second of which was a thrilling come-from-behinid victory over Juventus. Now it's Everton in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 Thursday followed by a trip to Siena Sunday.

14. (13) Olympiakos. Won their a cup game against Iraklis Saloniki last Wednsday, then managed to only draw Asteras Tripolis in the Super League. The second result cost them, as Panathinaikos now have a point lead as well as a game in hand over Olympiakos. Travel to Stamford Bridge Wednesday then play some Greek team on the weekend.

15. (18) Werder Bremen. Beat Borussia Dortmund to keep pace with the behemoths from Bavaria. Travel to Ibrox for what promises to be an interesting UEFA Round of 16 first leg Thursday. Then face Stuttgart on the weekend.

16. (11) PSV Eindhoven. Lost at Utrecht Sunday. Yeah, not good. With Ajax winning their game, PSV's lead is down to six in the Eredivisie. They'll play Ajax Sunday. First have to travel to White Hart Lane Thursday for their UEFA Cup round.

17. (12) Fenerbahce. Lost at Galatasaray in a cup game Wednesday then played a scoreless tie with Ankarasomething and dropped to third in the Turkcell--but only a point behind first-placed Besiktas (Galatasaray is second). The return leg with Sevilla is tomorrow followed by some other Turkish team Sunday.

18. (19) Arsenal de Sarandi. The Copa Sudamericana champs beat Banfield in Clausura action Saturday. Now it's a very interesting trip to Fluminense in Copa Lib action tomorrow.

19. (22) Glasgow Rangers. Won both games SPL games last week, at Hearts Wednesday and Aberdeen Saturday. Now it's Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, which kicks off at Ibrox Thursday. Also host Hibs in a cup tie Sunday.

20. (21) Chivas de Guadelajara. The only unbeaten team in the Mexican Clausura remained that way by playing a scoreless tie against Cruz Azul over the weekend. But things are about to get interesting, with a trip to Brazil's Santos in the Copa Libertadores. Also host Toluca Saturday.

21. (-) Boca Juniors. Don't look now but they haven't lost since AC Milan beat them in Tokyo. This week knocked off Gimnasia La Plata. In a three-way tie for first in the Copa Lib, which is theirs on goal difference. Host Atlas on Thursday in what promises to be a madhouse at the Bombonera. If it's still standing on the weekend, Boca will host Independiente Saturday as well.

22. (25) Hamburg SV. Lost at Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal (cup) at midweek but came back with a nice victory against Eintracht Frankfurt Saturday. Face Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup Thursday followed by a Sunday Bundesliga game at Nurnberg.

23. (-) Caracas FC. Who??? Caracas FC, that's who. The Venezuelan side have quietly (at least to you) won every game they've played this year. That includes two in the Copa Libertadores, one of which was a massive upset over San Lorenzo last month. The other team to win two games in the Copa Lib this year? None. There isn't one (in fairness a few teams do still have that second game in hand). Caracas face a massive test this week, playing at Brazil's Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte tomorrow.

24. (15) Juventus. Lost to Fiorentina after a scoreless game at Torino at midweek. I almost took them off the Top 25 but decided against it at the last minute. They probably still belong here, though they didn't look like they did in the last 20 minutes of yesterday's game. Travel to Genoa Sunday.

25. (17) Lanus. Their Copa Lib game with Estudiantes ended in a scoreless stalemate, then lost to Club Olimpo. Since the Argentine TV commentators proclaimed them the best team in South America I don't think they've won a game (all against South American teams). Currently eighth in the Clausura. Face Banfield Sunday

Dropping out: Sao Paulo (23), Bayer Leverkusen (24)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received): Everton, River Plate, Sevilla, Bordeaux, Ajax Amsterdam, Flamenco, Velez Sarsfield, Toluca, Villareal, Santos Laguna, Besiktas, Atletico Madrid.

Keep an eye out for: River Plate, whom I knowingly omitted despite putting their hated rivals at #21. (Several reasons for this, not least of which the fact that they lost to Boca in the Torneo Verano or whatever that tournament is called and the fact that River lost their first Copa Libertadores game. Yes they rebounded nicely against America last week but the damage was done). River face Estudiantes Sunday and travel to Universidad Catolica for their next Copa Lib match a week from tomorrow.

The Wednesday Wrap: River Rules In Day Of Draws

2008-02-27T21:33:00.005-05:00

Even though there were no Champions League or UEFA Cup matches today was a busy day in the world of soccer/football--and not just in Europe either. In fact, the biggest games outside of the San Siro were probably played in South America, where the Copa Libertadores group stages have begun to take shape. Interestingly enough, of all the important games that were played today, only one--River Plate's 2-1 victory over Club America--had a winner. The rest were draws. Look at these scores:

Inter Milan 1, AS Roma 1
Barcelona 1, Valencia 1
AC Milan 1, Catania 1
Atletico Nacional Medellin 1, Sao Paulo 1

Actually there were two more games that ended tied after 90 minutes but as these were the German cup quarterfinals and only played over one leg, they went to overtime. Wolfsburg beat Hamburg 2-1 after extra time while Bayern beat cross-town rivals 1860 Munich (who are a second division side these days) 1-0 on a Franck Ribery penalty in the 122nd (and I imagine last) minute of the game. This means Borussia Dortmund and Carl Zeiss Jena--who won yesterday--join Bayern and Wolfsburg in the semis. I don't think those matches have been drawn yet.

In the Libertadores. Group Five, with River, America, Universidad Catolica and Universidad San Martin, is living up to its Group of Death billing, as all four clubs are now tied with three points each after two games. The River-America match was obviously the main event so far--probably among all Copa Lib matches. What a great game. I invite anybody who thinks the only good club soccer is in Europe to check out a tape of this game. Highly entertaining stuff. In the end River probably deserved to win, but America played well also. I can't wait for the return leg in Mexico City, on April 2.

Back in Europe, Serie A clubs put in a full midweek matchday. Inter got an 88th minute goal from Javier Zanetti to escape with a point--and perhaps the league title--from their game with second-placed AS Roma. Inter's lead remains at nine points. There are still 13 games to play but the two teams won't face each other again. You can pretty much rule out the third- through fifth-placed teams (that would be Juventus, Fiorentina and AC Milan) of the title equation. Juve is 13 points in arrears and yesterday only managed a scoreless draw against their cross-town rivals. Fiorentina and Milan are 17 and 19 points behind Inter, respectively.

Arsenal (In All Likelihood) To Win London Derby League

2008-02-25T19:12:00.007-05:00

The London derby league, Soccer Source's unofficial tally of all games Premiership London clubs play against each other this season, completed another turn over the weekend. Actually two, as West Ham saw off Fulham in Premiership play Saturday before Spurs beat Chelsea to capture the League Cup on Sunday. The result of the latter game means the only way Arsenal will not win the "league" is if they get drawn with Chelsea in the Champions League. Let's look at the standings:

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Arsenal	8	7	1	1	16	9	22
Tottenham	9	3	3	3	19	15	12
Chelsea	6	3	2	1	6	4	10
West Ham	6	2	3	1	4	6	7
Fulham	8	0	6	2	7	18	2

(By the way, Spurs' victory counts as three points. I know the game was tied after regulation but there are only winners and losers in cup finals--no ties).

Here is the remaining schedule (obviously subject to change should these teams meet in F.A. Cup or European competition):

Arsenal: at Chelsea (March 23)
Chelsea: at West Ham (Saturday), at Spurs (March 19), Arsenal (March 23)
Spurs: West Ham (March 8)
West Ham: Chelsea (Saturday), at Spurs (March 8)
Fulham: None.

So Arsenal's 12 point lead is safe for the moment. The more interesting battle will likely be for second place, which West Ham still have an outside shot of capturing. They'll need to start with a win Saturday, however.

Photo taken from civicheraldry.co.uk without permission.

The World's Top 25 Soccer Clubs, Feb. 25, 2008

2008-02-25T00:38:00.008-05:00

Liverpool's shocking victory over Inter meant there would be room at the top of the Top 25 list. But who to move into it? Read on to find out...

1. (2) Manchester United. Yes, it's the Red Devils. More by default than anything else, but hey somebody needs to fill the top spot. Man. U do it for the second time this season. Hopefully for them it will be a longer stay than the last time around (when they lasted all of one week before giving the pole position back to Inter). Man. U got the result they needed at Lyon, then beat up on Newcastle Saturday. With Arsenal dropping points at Birmingham, it allows Sir Alex' men to move back within striking distance of the top of the Premiership. Play at Craven Cottage next, Saturday.

2. (3) Arsenal. Outplayed AC Milan but were unable to put one past them at midweek, then dropped points at Birmingham City Saturday. Also lost Eduardo that game--possibly for good--on a vicious tackle that suddenly opens up a hole in Gunners' attack. Sorry, but I don't have faith in Nicklas Bendtner. Up next for l'Arse: Aston Villa on Saturday. The rematch with AC Milan is a week from tomorrow.

3. (1) Inter Milan. The loss at Anfield suddenly opened a lot of doubts about the quality of this team, which had previously looked invincible (the loss to Liverpool was their second on the season). Sure enough, the nerazurri then dropped points at Sampdoria, tying the Genoa side 1-1. Inter host Roma Wednesday and play at Napoli Sunday.

4. (5) Barcelona. Won at Parkhead to all but advance to the Champs League quarterfinals. Also beat up on last-place Levante yesterday. Face a challenging week: Valencia at Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey Wednesday, then at Atletico Madrid Saturday. The Celtic rematch is on for a week from tomorrow.

5. (7) Roma. Beat Real Madrid in UCL action Wednesday, then topped Fiorentina yesterday to move within nine points of Inter. Can close the gap even further Wednesday when the two sides meet. So the gialorossi may be about to make pretty serious strides. Stay tuned...

6. (4) Real Madrid. Were outplayed by AS Roma but managed to get the crucial away goal. Then went down to Getafe yesterday. At home, in controversial fashion. Still, their lead over Barcelona is now two points. And I was ready to call the race over a few short weeks ago. Up next for Real: at Recreativo Huelva Saturday.

7. (11) AC Milan. Were lucky to escape from Emirates with a scoreless tie but are now well-positioned to knock Gunners out of Europe. Also beat Palermo yesterday. Play at Catania Wednesday and host Lazio on the weekend.

8. (6) FC Porto. Lost their Champions League match at Schalke, though the 1-0 score gives them room to make it through with a solid effort in the return leg. It will have to be very solid though. Had no problems winning their weekend bwinLIGA game, but the continental competition is unfortunately more telling. Play in the Portuguese cup Wednesday and another bwinLIGA game Saturday.

9. (9) Chelsea. The scoreless draw at Olympiakos puts Avram Grant's team in a decent position when the return leg is played at the Bridge in a few weeks' time. Lost League Cup final (and London Derby League game) to Spurs yesterday. Visit West Ham in another LDL game Saturday.

10. (13) Bayern Munich. Beat up on Aberdeen Thursday to advance in the UEFA Cup, then tied third-placed Hamburg SV at home yesterday. Play crosstown rivals 1860 Munich in the DFB Pokal at midweek then at Schalke on the weekend. UEFA Cup Round of 16 first leg with RSC Anderlecht follows a week Thursday.

11. (14) PSV Eindhoven. Beat Helsingborgs to advance in the UEFA Cup Wednesday and had no problems with De Graafschap yesterday. Closing in on the Eredivisie title. Up next: at Utrecht Sunday.

12. (10) Fenerbahce. Beat Sevilla last Wednesday but giving up two home goals hurts. Then lost against Bursaspor Saturday, which hurts more because it kept them from taking back first place in the Turkcell Super Lig. Now face Galatasaray (first-placed in the Turkcell Liga) in a cup game Wednesday. Also play a Turkcell team Sunday (nobody I can pronounce).

13. (12) Olympiakos. Played a scoreless tie with Chelsea in the Champions League knockout round and managed only a draw with PAOK Saloniki. Play a cup game against Iraklis Saloniki Wednsday, then host Asteras Tripolis in the Super League.

14. (16) Olympique Lyonnais. Tied #1 Man. United in Champs League elimination, then beat Metz Saturday. With Girondins Bordeaux playing a scoreless tie yesterday, Lyon open up a three point lead atop Ligue Un. Play at Lille Saturday. The UCL return leg at Old Trafford is a week from tomorrow.

15. (8) Juventus. Lost at Reggina Saturday, which is not the type of thing that should happen to top 10 clubs. So they're not in the top 10 anymore and will have to do quite a bit to get back. This weekend's game to Fiorentina, currently fourth in Serie A, could be the first step. They also face Torino at midweek.

16. (-) Liverpool. They're ba-ack, and deservedly so after a pair of victories last week. The first one against Inter was potentially historic in nature. Fernando Torres' hat trick in Saturday's trouncing of Borough further demonstrated the team's class. Yes, class. I've been ragging on Liverpool all season. It took a little time, but they are now making me eat my words after turning the corner last week. Of course they could still lose to Inter and fail to make Europe at the end of the season, though that now looks far less likely than it did one short week ago. Up next for Reds: Bolton Wanderers Sunday morning (New York time).

17. (18) Lanus. Argentina's Apertura champs beat up on Colon de Santa Fe (5-1 victory) Friday night. They'll play the Copa Lib tomorrow against fellow Argentine club Estudiantes, who are currently top of the Clausura table but whose Copa Lib debut did not go according to plan. Also play at Club Olimpo Saturday.

18. (15) Werder Bremen. Had no problem with Sporting Braga to advance in the UEFA Cup, then lost at Eintracht Frankfurt Saturday. Host Borussia Dortmund this week.

19. (22) Arsenal de Sarandi. The Copa Sudamericana champs won their Copa Lib opener Paraguay's Libertad, then beat Club Olimpo Saturday as well. Play at Banfield in Clausura action Saturday. A week from tomorrow the Copa Lib returns with a trip to Fluminense.

20. (17) Fiorentina. La Viola beat Rosenborg Trondheim to advance in the UEFA Cup but lost a crucial Serie A game at AS Roma. Next up: Livorno at midweek, followed by a trip to #15 (and third in Serie A) Juventus. They'll face Everton in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 the week after that.

21. (21) Chivas de Guadelajara. Beat San Jose Oruro in their first Copa Libertadores match, then managed only a home draw to San Luis on Saturday. Still unbeaten in the Clausura though, where things are about to get interesting, as Chivas host Cruz Azul (the second-placed team in their group) Sunday.

22. (24) Glasgow Rangers. Scored the crucial away goal at Panathinaikos to advance in the UEFA Cup, then beat Gretna in SPL action yesterday. Play at Hearts Wednesday, then against Aberdeen Saturday. Face Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, which kicks off March 6.

23. (23) Sao Paulo. Won their Paulista match. Now things get serious with their first Copa Libertadores game, which is at Colombia's Atletico Nacional Medellin Wednesday.

24. (-) Bayer Leverkusen. Michael Skibbe's men make their debut on the list after several close calls earlier in the season, but figure their stay to be an extended one. Leverkusen had a brilliant week, smacking around Galatasaray to advance in the UEFA Cup and then knocking off perhaps-soon-to-be Champs League quarterfinalists Schalke 04. They're also unbeaten this calendar year in all competition. If they keep this up it could be a glorious spring for one of the most desolate towns in Germany (I've been there. Well, I drove through it). Bayer face Bochum Saturday.

25. (-) Hamburg SV. Huub Steven's men return to the Top 25 for the first time since Dec. 17. HSV have not lost since Dec. 1 and yesterday matched wits with #10 Bayern Munich. They also advanced in the UEFA Cup last week (against sorry FC Zurich, but still) where they will face #24 Bayer Leverkusen in an all-German grudge match. Up next week: At Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal (cup) and against Eintracht Frankfurt in a Saturday Bundesliga match.

Dropping out: Panathinaikos (19), Villareal (20), Celtic (25).

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received): Sevilla, Everton, Schalke 04, Boca Juniors, Ajax Amsterdam, Velez Sarsfield, Toluca, Estudiantes.

Another to keep an eye out for: Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Chelsea in the League Cup final and has not lost a game since Jan. 12 (against Chelsea, incidentally). Juande Ramos' men face Chelsea again at midweek then travel to St. Andrew's Sunday. They're through to the UEFA Cup Round of 16, where they will face PSV Eindhoven.

Saturday Summary, Feb. 23: A Gruesome Day For Gunners

2008-02-23T16:05:00.001-05:00

You hate to see scenes like this on the soccer field and when it's the result of an intentional challenge by an opposing team's player it makes the whole thing even worse. I'm not going to provide any video links to Martin Taylor's vicious tackle of Eduardo da Silva. You know where to find them if that's your thing. Arsene Wenger has called for Taylor to receive a lifetime ban and for once I agree with him. The incident cast a dark cloud on what was otherwise a solid effort by Birmingham City and James McFadden at St. Andrews. Obviously Eduardo is lost for the season and also for the Euro championships that very well could have been a stage for his arrival as a soccer superstar. The 2-2 tie could also have wide-ranging consequences in the Premiership title hunt, as Man United's smackdown of Newcastle allowed Sir Alex' men to pull within three points of Gunners.

It was a dark day for the Fulhamericans as well, who were unlucky to lose to West Ham United in the first of two London derby matches this weekend. (The bigger one, of course, is at Wembley tomorrow). There is also another on tap for Wednesday, when Spurs and Chelsea play a rematch in EPL play. Here is how the London derby league looks going into tomorrow:

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Arsenal	8	7	1	1	16	9	22
Chelsea	5	3	1	1	5	2	10
Tottenham	8	2	3	3	17	14	9
West Ham	6	2	3	1	4	6	7
Fulham	8	0	6	2	7	18	2

Besides being in serious and acute danger of being relegated from the Premiership, this also concludes Fulham's London campaign for the season. Maybe they'll be replaced by Charlton (I don't count Watford, a more solid candidate for promotion, as a London club). Unless Chelsea win both games with Spurs over the next week, Arsenal will clinch the "league." And West Ham? Alan Curbishley's men are ninth and could very well make Europe next season. The sixth- through eighth-placed teams are all even on 44 points. Hammers have 40.

Elsewhere, there was excitement in the Bundesliga, where Bayer Leverkusen beat Schalke to move into third place (Hamburg SV will displace them if they beat top-of-the-table Bayern Munich tomorrow, but that game is played in Bavaria, where HSV have barely won in the past 30 years). Werder Bremen, who had played so well in recent weeks, lost at Eintracht Frankfurt, who are now quietly seventh, which is I think the highest they've been in a generation. But the biggest Bundesliga game is still on tap tomorrow.

I don't know how this happened, but there were eight goals in a Serie A game today. I could have sworn there were entire weeks where there weren't eight goals in all of Serie A back in the catenaccio days. Torino and Parma were the teams in question and they shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw. Roberto Stellone (no relation to Sylvester, I don't think) and Andrea Gasbarro both had braces for Torino and Parma, respectively. In the other Serie A game today, Juventus are losing at Reggina.

Finally, the remaining Champions League representatives from Greece and Turkey both suffered setbacks in their respective leagues today. Fenerbahce Istanbul, who are neck-and-neck with Galatasaray in the Turkcell Super Lig lost at home to Bursaspor, a mid-table side. What is even more shocking is that this was Fener's first loss at home--in all competitions--this season. Olympiakos, meanwhile tied their game at PAOK Saloniki today. They still lead the Super League by two points over Panathinaikos, who play tomorrow.

Photo taken from Guardian.co.uk without permission.

Friday Footie Link List, Feb. 22, 2008

2008-02-22T00:02:00.000-05:00

How bad of an idea was the Pan-Pacific Championship? Not even the locals care about it, according to the New York Times' soccer blog. I seriously don't get the point, not even (especially?) from a business perspective. It's a tiny market in the middle of nowhere. Not so fast, though. One blogger in favor is An American's View on Futbol/Football/Soccer and he refuses to pan the Pan-Pacific Championship. Good for him. Diversity of opinion is what makes the blogosphere great. Hey, he has some good points too. Give credit where it's due.

A lot of attention has been given this whole Future of Football report (far more than it deserves if you ask me). PitchInvasion.net and The Offside have some of the more thorough analysis of the whole thing.

American Soccer Daily has an interview with Reading's Bobby Convey. I didn't know Convey was a Philadelphia native--but I like him anyway. In fact, he's one of my favorite U.S. national team players right now--and not only because his game is so un-American. Convey has technique, vision and field presence that I have frankly never seen in a U.S. outfielder (maybe Clint Mathis when he was at his absolute peak, circa 2002. But that was sadly very short-lived). Anyway, read the interview.

Speaking of Philly, Ives asks his readers to suggest names for its new MLS team. Some real good ones there. Some goofy ones too. And all points in between. My favorite is probably the Philadelphia Athletic, though Philadelphia Armpits is probably more appropriate. Watch Philly get a really cool name and built a really good team in no time, kind of like D.C. which also has a cool name and success on the field. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are stuck with a team in Jersey that is named after an Austrian soft drink popular with club kids and which has never won anything. Oh well, at least our mayor doesn't smoke crack.

Fantasy Sport: Soccer In The Year 2020

2008-02-21T21:56:00.005-05:00

I don't know who or what The Future Laboratory is, nor do I know why a company like Orange would hire them to put together a report on the Future of Football. Because whoever these guys are, they don't seem to have a solid grip on reality, much less a legitimate grasp of the changes affecting professional sports in general and soccer/football in particular. According to these visionaries, 12 years from now kits will majestically heal injured players, linesmen will be replaced by robots, "stadiums will be equipped with dry ice rockets to set off any heavy rainfall well before the game" (yes that's a direct quote) and crowds will get energized by cocaine gas (or something to that effect) being pumped through stadium airducts. This is all supposed to take place not in some distant time and place (like, I don't know, a science fiction movie?) but by the year 2020. Twelve years from now. To put this in perspective, think back to 12 years ago and what professional sports were like then. Well, they were pretty close to what they are now, weren't they! Yes, one can now follow, watch and listen to games on the internet and some sports have made use of instant replay (though some were doing so 12 years ago too and that technology certainly isn't new) but by and large we're looking at very similar experiences. If somebody were to teleport you to a soccer match in 1996, you'd be allowed to smoke in the stands, there might actually be standing room, few people would have mobile phones and Brad Friedel would have an American accent. Other than that, I can't think of how it would be terribly different. Now I know about Moore's law and how technological advances are supposed to occur faster over time or something. But let's me serious now: this stuff isn't even science fiction. More like science fantasy. A bunch of school children could have come up with more realistic concepts than this. Granted, their presentation would not have been anywhere near as flashy.

The Thursday Treatise: Bhoys Beat Themselves

2008-02-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

A pair of fatal errors cost Celtic their Champions League match with Barcelona at Parkhead yesterday. The result, a 3-2 home loss, will be extremely difficult for Hoops to make up in the return leg. Difficult, and if Gordon Strachan is to be believed, unlikely ("I wouldn't bet the house on it," were his exact words, when asked if his team could come up with the 2-0 win necessary to advance). Speaking of beating themselves, Fenerbahce won their game with Sevilla, but sloppy defending cost them two goals, which may have just left the Andalusian side too much of a window. Arsenal were unlucky to not beat Milan and the scoreless tie leaves the rossoneri needing to score just once and put 11 men behind the ball in the return leg at San Siro. In the fourth Champs League game, Man. United likely did enough (a 1-1 tie at Lyon) to make it through to the next round.

In the Southern hemisphere, the Copa Libertadores completed its first round of group stage play. Some mild upsets to tell you about there, as Fluminense and Boca Juniors (two of the more storied teams in South America) failed to win away games against seemingly inferior opponents. Boca played a 1-1 tie at Venezuela's Maracaibo and Fluminense's match at LDU de Quito finished scoreless. So Venezuelan teams have put on a solid showing so far (the second one, Caracas FC, beat San Lorenzo last week), while Argentine teams have been largely crap--although Arsenal de Sarandi did win their game with Paraguay's Libertad today. Still, that's just two victories, one tie and three losses for the six Argentine clubs in the Copa Lib thus far. Mexican teams, meanwhile, are 2-0 after Club America's victory over Chile's Universidad Catolica tonight. The Aguillas got a stoppage time goal to clinch the victory. Earlier an amazing freekick goal tied it up for the Santiago side. Check it out on YouTube if you can. Even the Mexican commentators conceded it was "un golazo por cierto," which I think means they liked it. By the way, why didn't Guillermo Ochoa play for America tonight? The guy who replaced him played really well though. Actually, I'm just realizing not all teams have played yet because Atlas and Colo Colo face off tomorrow in the first group stage encounter for either side. So we have something to look forward to tomorrow. Besides the UEFA Cup that is.

Photo taken from dailymail.co.uk without permission.

Wednesday Wrap: Reds Stun Inter

2008-02-20T00:19:00.006-05:00

Inter Milan suffered only their second loss of the season yesterday, as Liverpool came through with a shocking upset of what was widely viewed as the best team in Europe (and not just by this Web site). Yes, Reds got help from the referee but let's give credit where it's due: Rafa Benitez' team played a great game and ultimately deserved to win. Inter now have their hands full for the return leg, to be played March 11. Yes, I will admit to being completely wrong about Liverpool, but a full apology to Reds supporters will ensue only if and when their team pulls through and eliminates Inter Milan. One thing is for sure, though: we're about to find out if the nerazurri deserve their top rank. Now why can't Liverpool always play like this?

Liverpool's victory wasn't even the upset on the day, as Schalke beat a team I thought was vastly superior to them. (Wrong again! That's 0 for 2). Though Porto are in a better position than Inter for the return leg. The other games went down pretty much as expected. Roma won at home, but Real are in a good position to advance. So too is Chelsea, as Olympiakos were unable to take advantage of the home field. Chelsea will still have to win the return leg, but they'll be well-situated to pull that off. Drogba and Anelka need a little more time together to gel on the pitch.

Let's not forget the Copa Libertadores, either. Three games were on the docket there, though admittedly none as enticing as the European match-ups. Chivas won their group stage opener over Bolivian side San Jose (and here I was thinking San Jose was in California this whole time. Oh well, you learn something new every day I guess). Nacional Montevideo won at Peru's Coronel Bolognesi (it just sounds like a pasta dish. Trust me, it's a football team) and Paraguay's Sportivo Luqueno also won on the road, at Chile's Audax Italiano.

And tomorrow? Another full slate of games on the docket. I can barely wait to see how my other predictions go up in smoke. Oh well, the last time I spoke with this much conviction and it blew up in my face, When Saturday Comes wrote about the blog. Maybe history will repeat itself? Not so fast, there is still plenty of soccer left to play.

Graphic taken from socceroverload.com without permission.

Fearless Forecast, Revisited: UEFA Champions League Round Of 16

2008-02-18T22:42:00.001-05:00

When the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 pairings were drawn, this site offered a preliminary forecast, with a promise to revisit the matter closer to kick off. That time is now. Our main guide is still the Top 25 ranking of the world's soccer clubs, (the number in parentheses is the team's corresponding ranking this week; the first leg's home teams are listed first):

Liverpool (unranked) vs. Inter Milan (1)
Tuesday, 2:30pm EST (ESPN2)
Most audiences in the U.S. will get this one tomorrow. A shame, because it's sure to be a blowout. Inter have better players at virtually every position, with Fernando Torres really the only Red capable of starting for the Milan side. To make matters worse, Reds just suffered a new low this weekend, when they lost at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup. Roberto Mancini's side have not lost to anybody since Sept. 19. Only the most delusional Scouser would give Reds any realistic chance of winning this one. And yet, many apparently still do. Pity the fools...

Roma (7) vs. Real Madrid (4)
Tuesday, 2:45pm EST (ESPN Digital, 360)
Without a question the most enticing match-up of the Round of 16. This one could have been the final. Alas, the two teams face each other now, with their European seasons on the brink. Real are the better side, though not by much. In Roma's favor is the fact that the Spaniards have hit a run of poor form: losses in two of their last three and four of their last eight games. Of course Roma has lost two of their last three as well. Expect Real to take it.

Schalke (unranked) vs. Porto (6)
Tuesday, 2:45pm EST (Setanta Premium)
Porto are having a solid season but will be without Portuguese international defender Jose Bosingwa, who picked up an injury in the recent friendly with Italy. The Dragons have dominated the bwinLIGA nearly at will and are likely to win it again this year, with a 10 point lead over second-placed Benfica. Their 4-1 loss at Anfield earlier this season is a greater cause for concern, though if memory serves it was a pretty even game and Reds scored most of their goals in the final minutes after Porto had thrown everybody forward into the attack. And Schalke? Fifth in the Bundesliga, they have nevertheless booked impressive wins recently over arch rivals Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart and also tied Bayern Munich on the road (but that was early in the season). Other than that their claim to fame is that they managed scoreless ties, at home, to Chelsea and Valencia in the group stage. So I'd be surprised to see the Germans take this one. Porto's the call.

Olympiakos (12) vs. Chelsea (9)
Tuesday, 2:45pm EST (Setanta Sports)
Judging by their positions in the Top 25, this one stands to be close. Olympiakos have been very solid and came out of a tough group with Lazio, Werder Bremen and Real Madrid. So they'll give the Blues a run for their money. But that's all. With John Terry and Didier Drogba expected back for this one, a resurgent Michael Ballack and Nicolas Anelka even eligible, the Greeks will be overwhelmed with the firepower. Chelsea to take it.

Arsenal (3) vs. AC Milan (11)
Wednesday, 2:30pm EST (ESPN2)
Arsene Wenger's side have undoubtedly had a better season than the rossoneri, and are higher placed in the Top 25, but I expect a few variables will lead to their downfall: 1) Jens Lehmann, whose best days are clearly behind him, 2) Kaka, the best player in the world at present, 3) Pato, who is healthy and who has made the bulwark defenses of Serie A look like the New York Red Bulls back line last season (okay maybe not that bad, but you catch my drift) and 4) Experience, which Milan has not least of which thanks to their world club cup title from December. Also, with the first game at Emirates, Milan can sit back and let Gunners come at them, which is not an optimal situation of Wenger. It also plays into Milan's strengths. On second thought, this one may not even be close.

Lyon (16) vs. Man. Utd (2)
Wednesday, 2:45pm EST (Setanta Sports)
The French side have had a mediocre season by their high standards, struggling to take first place in Ligue Un (which they now hold by a single point) and to advance out of the group stage of the Champions League. Man U. have lost some games they shouldn't have, which has cost them their lead in the Premiership, but have showed their class against top competition. I think you know where I'm going with this: Au revoir, Lyon.

Celtic (25) vs. Barcelona (5)
Wednesday, 2:45pm EST (ESPN Digital, 360)
Celtic are a nice team with several things to recommend of themselves, but Barca are world class. Yes they've had their issues this season, but are still second in the Spanish league and within shouting distance of their hated rivals from the capital city. A loss here would be nothing short of a calamity for the Catalans, and the worst thing to happen to Barcelona since Sept. 11--Sept. 11, 1714. I exaggerate a bit, but the point is, they won't let it happen. Barca to advance.

Fenerbahce (10) vs. Seville (unranked)
Wednesday, 2:45pm EST (no legal TV broadcast in the U.S.)
This one could throw off my whole ranking system. Fener enjoy their current spot by virtue of qualifying out of a highly decent Champions League group (Inter, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Moscow), by being the only team in the world to beat Inter this season (it happened Sept. 19 on a goal by Deivid, one of several Brazilians with the Istanbul side--not including its coach, quite possibly the most famous Brazilian not named Pele or Lula) and by hanging tough in the Turkcell Liga, where they trail Galatasaray by a single point. Also, Fenerbahce are unbeaten at home this season and have in fact only dropped points twice at the Sukru Saracoglu; Sept. 1 in a 1-1 tie with Caykur Rizespor and Jan. 13 in a 2-2 draw with Istanbul BB. So they're perfect in European competition. Sevilla on the other hand have had a traumatic season, with the Antonio Puerta tragedy and Juande Ramos' defection to White Hart Lane, but have recently rediscovered their form, tieing Barca three times in recent weeks (twice in Copa del Rey play). Still, I think Fener are better and will justify their high ranking by advancing.

Photo taken from football.co.uk without permission

The World's Top 25 Soccer Clubs, Feb. 18, 2008

2008-02-18T00:04:00.002-05:00

The return of continental play (Copa Libertadores and UEFA Cup) last week threw open a large portion of the Top 25. With Champions League games on the docket for this week, things are about to get even more interesting. But here is where we stand today:

1. (1) Inter Milan. The undisputed No. 1 team beat Livorno over the weekend. Now the Champions League resumes with a trip to Anfield tomorrow. Inter only have one loss this season (at Fenerbahce Istanbul, back on Sept. 19). Will Reds make it two? Uh, no. The nerazzuri also play at Sampdoria Sunday.

2. (5) Manchester United. Thoroughly destroyed Arsenal Saturday. Yes it was "only" FA Cup play, but Arsene Wenger showed up with his 'A' team. And yes, Arse still leads them by five points in the EPL standings, but Man. U have the better record in head-to-head games. There will be at least one more of these this year, April 12 at Old Trafford, potentially to decide the Premiership. This week, Sir Alex' men travel to Lyon for their UCL Round of 16 first leg, then play at Newcastle Saturday.

3. (2) Arsenal. Beat Blackburn a week ago, then got trounced by Man United in their FA Cup match. Now face AC Milan in the first leg of the Champions League knockouts at Emirates Wednesday. Then it's a trip to Birmingham City Saturday.

4. (3) Real Madrid. Lost at Real Betis Saturday. With Barca beating Zaragoza this immediately opens the Liga up. AS Roma is up tomorrow in the signature match-up of the Champions League Round of 16. The first game is at the Bernabeu. Real also host Getafe Sunday.

5. (4) Barcelona. Beat Zaragoza Saturday. The UCL resumes Wednesday with a trip to Celtic Park. Their first trip to Glasgow this season did not go so well. What will happen this time? Who knows? That's why they play the games! Also host Levante Sunday.

6. (10) FC Porto. Won at fifth-placed Maritimo Funchal Saturday. Tomorrow the first leg of their Champs league knockout round with Schalke goes down. Also host a bwinLIGA match Saturday.

7. (6) Roma. Lost to Juventus in one of Saturday's late games. Host #3 Real Madrid in UCL action Wednesday. Then it's Fiorentina Sunday before a game at Inter Feb. 27. So things don't get any easier for the gialorossi. But at least we'll know exactly how good (or not) they are...

8. (11) Juventus. Beat Roma Saturday to close the gap with the second placed Romans to a point. Wait, so they beat them in head-to-head competition, why is Roma still ranked higher? Simply put, Roma have had a much harder schedule than the bianconeri, who haven't (and won't) play any non-Italian teams this season. They're at Reggina Saturday.

9. (8) Chelsea. Beat Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup Saturday. Big deal but now things get interesting, with Olympiakos on the docket for Champions League knockouts. The first leg is tomorrow, in Greece. Also play at White Hart Lane in a League Cup (and London Derby League) match Sunday.

10. (9) Fenerbahce. The only team to defeat Inter Milan this season beat some Turkish minnow on Friday. Now Sevilla visits Wednesday for the first leg of the Champs League knockouts. Also host Bursaspor Saturday, then face Galatasaray (second-placed in the Turkcell Liga) in a cup game Feb. 27.

11. (7) AC Milan. Tied both games last week, to Livorno and at Palermo. Now the big test: a trip to the Emirates for the Champions League knockouts. Then host Palermo on the weekend.

12. (12) Olympiakos. Beat last-placed Ergotelis in Greek Super League encounter. This week #9 Chelsea visits for the first stage of the Champions League knockout round, followed by a trip to PAOK Saloniki. For our purposes, it's just the first one that counts.

13. (13) Bayern Munich. Managed only a tie at Aberdeen last Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Cup match-up. It shouldn't matter, but you never know when Bayern could choke under the pressure. Their second game last week, a 3-0 victory at Hannover yesterday (hat trick by Luca Toni), was a lot better. We'll see what Bayern team shows up this week: the return leg against Aberdeen is Thursday, then third-placed Hamburg SV pay a visit on Sunday.

14. (17) PSV Eindhoven. Won both games last week, against Helsingborgs in the UEFA Cup Wednesday and at Willem II in the Eredivisie. Now it's the return leg against the Swedish side followed by De Graafschap Sunday.

15. (24) Werder Bremen. Had no problem with Sporting Braga in the first stage of the UEFA Cup Wednesday (a three-nil victory that essentially puts them through to the next round) and saw off Nurnberg without problems either. Kicker called the second one a Pflichtsieg. Gotta love the way you can create your own words in the German language (Pflicht = duty, Sieg = win). The return leg takes place at Braga Thursday followed by a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.

16. (15) Olympique Lyonnais. Lost at Le Mans. Face #2 Man. United in Champs League elimination, then host Metz Saturday.

17. (-) Fiorentina. La Viola make their return to the top 25 after winning the first leg of their UEFA Cup match-up at Rosenborg Trondheim and knocking off Catania in Serie A action yesterday. Rosenborg, if you'll recall, had a solid run in the Champions League group stage, so for Fiorentina to win there tells me something. The return leg is Thursday, then a tough trip to AS Roma.

18. (19) Lanus. Argentina's Apertura champs won their Copa Lib opener against Uruguayan champions Danubio, which prompted the Argentine commentators on Fox Sports Espanol to label them the best team in Latin America. They almost had me too, except then Atletico Huracan beat Lanus yesterday. Oh well. El Granate don't play any Copa Lib games next week (their next one is Feb. 26 against Estudiantes). Colon de Santa Fe visit Sunday.

19. (20) Panathinaikos. Played Glasgow Rangers to a scoreless tie at Ibrox last Wednesday. They play three times this week, today against some Greek minnow, Thursday against Rangers and Sunday against another Greek team I can't pretend to know anything about.

20. (14) Villareal. Lost their UEFA Cup match-up at Zenit St. Petersburg at midweek, then managed only a scoreless tie in a home date with Racing Santander yesterday. Up next: the return leg versus Zenit (Thursday) and a trip to Bilbao (Sunday).

21. (25) Chivas de Guadelajara. The only unbeaten team in the Mexican Clausura (four wins and two ties to lead their group) beat Santos Laguna at midweek, then played a scoreless tie at Tigres. Kick off their Copa Libertadores campaign against San Jose tomorrow. Host San Luis on the weekend.

22. (16) Arsenal de Sarandi. The Copa Sudamericana champs lost at Colon de Santa Fe Friday. Their first Copa Lib game is tomorrow against Paraguay's Libertad. Host Club Olimpo Saturday as well.

23. (18) Sao Paulo. Lost their first game of 2008, against Marilia in the Paulista yesterday. Have two more of those this week, against Paulista FC and Noroeste before things get serious with their first Copa Libertadores match, which is a week from Wednesday at Colombia's Atletico Nacional Medellin.

24. (22) Glasgow Rangers. Were not able to beat Panathinaikos at Ibrox Wednesday. Also won at Kilmarnock in SPL action yesterday. Travel to Athens for the return leg Thursday, then host Gretna Sunday.

25. (-) Celtic Glasgow. Saw off Hearts Saturday, 3-0. Celtic has won their last eight games dating back to a tie with Hibs on Dec. 22. Will the streak continue this week? Unlikely. Barca comes to town Wednesday. Celtic have been playing well but beating Barca will be a bit of a stretch nonetheless. Also travel to St. Mirren for weekend SPL action.

Dropping out: Club America (21), Atletico Madrid (23)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received): Sevilla, Hamburg SV, Bordeaux, Benfica Lisbon, Everton, Galatasaray, Schalke 04, Boca Juniors, Ajax Amsterdam, Velez Sarsfield, Toluca.

Commentary
This was one of the most challenging Top 25 lists in recent memory. Not only was there chaos at the top of the list (Man. U versus Arsenal, Real vs. Barca, Roma vs. Juve, etc.) but there were no fewer than a dozen teams to be considered for the final 40% of the table. I ultimately decided to include the two Glasgow teams, partly because they have been playing well and partly because Aberdeen's near upset of Bayern made me respect the SPL a bit more than I had been. HSV, Bordeaux, Everton and Benfica didn't make the cut because they haven't really proven me much against the top clubs (when in fact they even had a chance to prove themselves against such competition, which has not been often). Fiorentina, by contrast, while not booking any huge victories either, did manage a bunch of ties against some of the continent's elite (AC Milan, Roma, Juve, Villareal). But the toughest team to exclude from the list was undoubtedly Sevilla. Here is a team that is still alive in the Champions League, that just matched wits (and should have in fact beaten) Barcelona a week ago and Saturday beat a team (Espanol Barcelona) who had figured in the Top 25 for a long time this season (but they weren't in it when Sevilla beat them, which is what counts). I still feel the teams ranked 20-25 are better than Sevilla right now, though that is of course subject to change. Suffice it to say that if Sevilla beat Fenerbahce this week I won't be able to keep them off the list, regardless what happens in their other game (against Zaragoza Sunday).

But with competition for spots heating up, clubs like Arsenal de Sarandi and Sao Paolo are going to have to prove they belong. Fortunately, with the Copa Libertadores group stage heating up in earnest, they'll get their chance. So will a team like Schalke, which faces a solid top 10 side (Porto) in their Champions League Round of 16 series. And the Copa Lib competition should improve the exposure for other teams as well. So tighten your seatbelts, things are about to get pretty turbulent...

Saturday Summary, Late Edition: Juve Tops Roma, Real Goes Down

2008-02-17T00:03:00.000-05:00

Finally, Juventus beat a top side, edging AS Roma by a 1-0 score earlier today. Alessandro del Piero scored the game's only goal via free-kick on the stroke of halftime. Check it out on youtube, it was pretty sweet. Juve move within a point of second-place Roma with the victory, their first against "top competition" since being promoted back to Serie A this year. They had come close before though, tying Inter Milan twice, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Roma once. So the bianconeri are back. We'll see them in Europe next year for sure; and it will probably in the Champions League.

A few short weeks ago I was ready to (and in fact nearly did) anoint Real Madrid as Spanish league champs. Their lead was nine points at the time and I didn't see how Barca could close the gap. But after losing two of their last three games, including last night's at Real Betis, Madrid's lead is five points. There are 14 games left to play, which is plenty. A lot can happen in that time so let's not anoint anybody as anything just yet.

Except maybe in Holland, where PSV Eindhoven's lead is nine points with nine games left. PSV won at Willem II today (no big shock as Tilburg are second-last). Second placed Ajax Amsterdam also won to keep pace, by a 6-2 hockey score. Oh wait, that was a hockey game. Just kidding. With the victory Ajax put some space between themselves and third-placed Heerenveen, the current employer of one Michael Bradley. Heerenveen only managed a tie today (and no, Bradley didn't score). Ajax visit Eindhoven March 9 and Heerenveen a few weeks afterwards. PSV have pretty smooth sailing besides Ajax' visit, which is why I think they'll end up winning the league without trouble. But who cares about the Netherlands? They don't even have any teams left in the Champions League and Ajax didn't even make the UEFA Cup this year (losing their qualifier to Dynamo Zagreb, who were since eliminated in group play).