When you own the three best players in the world – no matter who is chosen top dog – you're always likely to be a handful to stop, and so Barcelona continue to prove, week in and week out.
Still, the resumption of play in Serie A signals the return of some big players in the Globe's European soccer power rankings, although the likes of Milan and Napoli will have to go some over the second half of the season to rein in the Spanish superpowers.
1 Barcelona
Last week: 1
A thumping 4-0 road win at Deportivo La Coruna, a two-point lead over rival Real Madrid at the top of the Premier Liga, and being able to call upon the world's three best players – with Lionel Messi being somewhat controversially crowned the greatest – it's fair to say life is good for the Catalan club right now.
2 Real Madrid
Last week: 2
The Madridistas kept pace at the top of the table courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat trick in a 4-2 win over third-placed Villarreal, and with Ronaldo showing no signs of slowing down in 2011 – he now has 30 goals in all competitions this season – the omens certainly appear good for the newly crowned FIFA World Coach of the Year and his charges.
3 Manchester United
Last week: 3
Not that their rivalry with Liverpool needed any spicing up, but the return of Kenny Dalglish to the Anfield bench after 20 years away certainly adds some mystique, especially with United's seemingly inexorable march towards a 19th league title, which would knock Liverpool off its "perch" and out of the record books. And a 1-0 win over the Reds on Sunday keeps the Red Devils moving towards a record 12th F.A. Cup, too.
4 Tottenham Hotspur
Last week: 6
While the David Beckham saga drags on, Spurs have gone about their business with a true sense of purpose, and a comfortable 3-0 win over Charlton in the F.A. Cup on the weekend showed their efficiency. They'll certainly need to show some more of that when they play host to Manchester United on the weekend.
5 Manchester City
Last week: 4
Edin Dzeko's arrival will hopefully persuade manager Roberto Mancini to steer clear of the dour, defensive tactics he used in earning a point in a 0-0 draw with Arsenal last week. Then again, maybe Mancini should have invested in a new goalkeeper after seeing Joe Hart's clanger allow Leicester to force a replay in the F.A. Cup.
6 AC Milan
Last week: Not ranked
Despite an entertaining, if unimpressive, 4-4 draw with Udinese on Sunday, the Rossoneri capitalized on other results to jump four points clear at the top of Serie A. And with Ronaldinho finally on his way to Flamengo, one more distraction has been removed as Milan embarks on the second half of the season.
7 Arsenal
Last week: 5
Failing to force your way through Manchester City's rearguard effort is one things, but having to rely on a last-minute penalty for a reprieve against Leeds United in the F.A. Cup is quite another. After seeing him trot out a second-string lineup against Leeds, Arsenal fans had best hope Arsene Wenger takes Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich Town more seriously.
8 Chelsea
Last week: 9
With manager Carlo Ancelotti having all but written off defending the Premier League title following a 1-0 loss to Wolves last week, Chelsea's player responded with some gusto on the weekend, firing seven past lacklustre Ipswich Town to advance in the F.A. Cup. Maybe there can be a silver lining to the Blues' woeful season after all.
9 Napoli
Last week: Not ranked
Shrugging off the 3-1 defeat to defending champions Inter in its first game back after the winter break, Napoli showed it plans to be a force to be reckoned with in the title run-in, destroying rival Juventus 3-0 on the back of an Edinson Cavani hat trick – which subsequently forced it to put a hands-off warning to ward off Manchester City.
10 Inter Milan
Last week: Not ranked
New boss Leonardo has certainly made his presence felt since his return to club management. The defending Serie A champions are finally showing some fighting spirit in the new year, moving up to seventh in the table following a pair of wins, but also owning two games in hand, which could potentially put them just five points back of city rival and league leader AC Milan.