South American slump

Europe dominates despite international action

Rankings for March 31
Rk.	Team	Country	Pts.
1 (1)	Real Madrid	Spain	120
2 (2)	Juventus	Italy	92
3 (3)	Manchester United	England	87
4 (4)	AC Milan	Italy	74
5 (5)	Inter Milan	Italy	56
6 (6)	Bayern Munich	Germany	43
7 (8)	Arsenal	England	38
8 (7)	Boca Juniors	Argentina	33
9 (ne)	Lazio	Italy	15
10 (ne)	PSV Eindhoven	Netherlands	14
Dropped out: Corinthians, Vasco da Gama. Others getting votes: Corinthians, Barcelona, Valencia, Newcastle, Porto, Ajax, Racing and Real Sociedad.
One to Watch
Each week voters spotlight a football club that deserves a mention. This week's team is ... Bari. The southern Italian club may be fighting against relegation at the bottom of Serie B but at least it has one of Italy's hottest strikers outside of Serie A. Gionatha Spinesi's 14th league goal of the season at the weekend earned Bari a surprise 1-1 draw at leader Sampdoria.
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To see seemingly flawless Bayern Munich receive half of the points of a faltering Inter Milan seems outrageous. The Bundesliga is not the Scottish League. Bayern will most likely bag the league title and the cup title this year. Show the Germans some hard earned respect. Michael, Washington, DC I am surprised to see that Ajax is not in the top 10. They are currently the leaders in a Champions League group including the current number one Arsenal and number seven Valencia. Marien Brethouwer Heemskerk, Netherlands For more reactions...
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ATLANTA (SI.com) -- A weekend of international action in Europe should have given South America’s leading clubs a chance to make inroads on the CNN/World Soccer Top 10.

But some poor performances in the Copa Libertadores and domestic competition means that only Argentine side Boca Juniors retains its place on the list with Brazilian duo Corinthians and Vasco da Gama dropping off the bottom. The top six is unchanged.

European champion Real Madrid is a unanimous choice at No. 1 as it stays on course for a 10th European Cup and a 29th Spanish title. Real faces Manchester United next Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Before then Vicente Del Bosque’s side has a local derby with Rayo Vallecano as it bids to maintain its three-point lead in the Liga.

Juventus, also bidding for glory at home and in Europe, stays at No. 2. The Turin side takes on Barcelona next Wednesday in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg. On Saturday Marcello Lippi’s Serie A leading-side faces local rival Torino.

Manchester United holds on to the No. 3 spot. The English side faces a crucial week as it seeks to avoid a second straight season without silverware. Prior to its Champions League clash with Real Madrid Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needs a win over archrival Liverpool as it seeks to overturn Arsenal’s lead in the Premier League.

The Milan clubs, AC and Inter, remain at No. 4 and No. 5. AC Milan visits Parma this weekend while Inter hosts Roma. In the Champions League, Milan clashes with Ajax Amsterdam and Inter takes on coach Hector Cuper’s former side Valencia.

Bayern Munich’s charge towards the Bundesliga title keeps it at No. 6 on the Top 10. With eight matches to go the Bavarians hold a 15-point lead at the top.

English champion Arsenal climbs one place to No. 7. The Champions League may have gone but Arsene Wenger’s side is still targeting a domestic league and FA Cup double. But with Manchester United just two points back in the Premier League, the Gunners need a win Saturday at Aston Villa.

Boca Juniors drops one place to No. 8 after losing its 100 per cent Copa Libertadores record in a 1-0 defeat by Colombian champion Medellin. But Boca did maintain its lead in the Argentine Clausura championship with a 2-0 win over Gimnasia.

Italian side Lazio, fourth on Serie A, is a new entry at No. 9 while PSV Eindhoven’s dominance of the Dutch league is rewarded with the No. 10 spot.

Corinthians drops off after losing 3-0 to Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Copa Libertadores and losing to Atletico Miniero by the same score in the opening round of the Brazilian championhip. Vasco da Gama also falls off after losing 4-2 to Guarani.

Others receiving votes were Corinthians, Barcelona, Valencia, Newcastle, Porto, Ajax, Racing and Real Sociedad.

The CNN/World Soccer Top 10 is a unique ranking of football clubs determined each Monday through voting by correspondents from CNN Sports and World Soccer magazine.

CNNSI.com wire services contributed to this report.