Anyone for Italian? The two English powerhouses both had slight stumbles this past week, so a new No. 1 comes slipping up through the cracks. Inter Milan is doing it on both ends of the field against all opponents and is back on top again -- legitimately this time, too. Meanwhile, it's the same old story in Latin America: zero consistency. As we get set to kick off the Copa Sudamericana finals on Friday, we're looking at a new champion -- Club América or Arsenal de Sarandí -- that isn't a factor in its own league. How will we weigh that one out? Then again, we didn't give the time of day to some of the finalists in Europe's second-tier cup competition over the past couple seasons in this space, either. And we're done with our other continental champions in Asia and Africa for now. They got their love; let's get back to the big boys. Note: All rankings, records and statistics are through Nov. 28.
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Inter Milan
Look at this, the Nerazzurri are No. 1 for the first time since February. I have to admit, I'm almost as entertained these days by Inter as I am by No. 2 Arsenal. From the power of Julio Cruz to the cockiness of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the speed and creativity of Esteban Cambiasso, the Serie A frontrunners have a lot of ways to hurt you. And now with Marco Materazzi back from injury and Christian Chivu showing why they shelled out $24 million, they've got some bite, too. We'll see how long they stay here.
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Arsenal
Well, the unbeaten run had to end sometime. Already assured a spot in the Champions League round of 16, Arsenal didn't have as much to play for at Sevilla on Tuesday, and the lineup reflected that. And from where I was sitting, the Spaniards completely outran the Premiership leaders and exacted an exquisite revenge from the 3-0 shellacking they suffered in London back in September. The biggest problem for the Gunners now is that they may not top their group, which is a risky proposition given who they might draw in the next round.
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Manchester United
I've got to admit this, too: Say what you will about Man Utd, but I love Sir Alex Ferguson. He's your typical brash, no-b.s. Scotsman -- mostly classy and understated until someone really gets his blood boiling. "I told him exactly what I thought and he didn't like it," said Fergie of his halftime rant at referee Mark Clattenburg during United's 1-0 loss to Bolton last Saturday. How much would you have paid to be in the stadium tunnel to hear that one?
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FC Barcelona
For all the knocks Barça has taken lately -- it can't win on the road, divided camps in the locker room, too concerned with off-the-field endeavors -- this fact seems to have slipped under the radar: The two goals the Blaugrana allowed to Lyon on Tuesday in their draw were the first Barcelona have allowed in Champions play thus far. They're doing something right.
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AS Roma
Don't look now, but Roma is unbeaten through nine straight matches. The Giallorossi have booked a spot in the Champs' round of 16 for the second straight season and Mirko Vucinic is allaying any fears the Roman faithful might have about the absence of injured Francesco Totti. The 24-year-old Montenegrin striker has been stellar up front and is already drawing comparisons to Inter's Ibrahimovic.
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Real Madrid
Call me crazy, but there's something wrong when Real Madrid, the first-place team in La Liga, still needs the final group-stage game just to guarantee passage into the next round of Champs League. The Merengues' 3-2 loss at Werder Bremen on Wednesday even had captain Raúl in defensive mode, declaring his team didn't take its opponent too lightly. He and I were clearly watching different games.
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FC Porto
There's no way I could dock the Dragons for failing to beat a rolling Liverpool side on Wednesday with a manic crowd all over them. "For the opposition players, it must be a nightmare," said Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard of the Anfield faithful after the game. Until that 4-1 crusher, the Portuguese Liga leaders had an impressive run of 15 unbeaten game to open the season. FC Porto also holds its Champions League fate in its hands: A win at home on Dec. 11 vs. Besiktas -- the same side Liverpool splattered 8-0 -- guarantees the top spot in Group A.
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São Paulo
The Tricolor Paulista are still sitting back enjoying their title with one more game to play this season. Meanwhile, a nice story is developing with stud center/right back Breno. The 18-year-old, who is reportedly being chased by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, got a call-up to Brazil's under-23 squad, which suggests he could make the '08 Olympic team. Keep an eye on the youngest member of São Paulo's starting lineup, who could be a new Cafú in the making.
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Chelsea
I guess we all probably saw this coming. There likely isn't a crisis much bigger than losing your iconic manager mid-season, and Chelsea has responded perfectly (or perhaps backing up the claim SI.com's Grant Wahl made back in September about Avram Grant: Anyone could coach this roster). The Blues haven't looked back since their lowest point -- a shocking draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge around that same time -- and now also are within striking distance in the Premiership, too.
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Lanús
Unbelievable how things work in Argentina: One club wins the '07 Clausura (San Lorenzo), another wins the Copa Libertadores (Boca Juniors) a third is in the finals of the Sudamericana (Arsenal de Sarandí) and now, tiny Lanús, with a fraction of the budget of the big clubs, is one point from its first-ever Argentine title. To win it, it just needs a draw or a loss by the second-place team, which is -- get this -- newly promoted Tigre. If Lanús can march into the Bombonera on Sunday, grab a result against Boca and sew up the '07 Apertura, it'll be one more bizarre chapter in the ever-shifting balance of power in Argentina.
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Honorable mentions: Villarreal, Santos Laguna, Celtic, Juventus, Manchester City, Tigre
Dropped off: Club América, Urawa Red Diamonds, Étoile du Sahel
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