Atletico Madrid’s roaring start in defense of the La Liga title has earned Diego Simeone’s bunch the title of No. 1 team in the Associated Press’ Global Football 10 poll.
The poll is voted on by journalists across the globe and seems to measure both a collective media “power rankings” as well as what’s “hot right now” in the global game.
Atletico beat Real Madrid 2-1 on the road this weekend and is in Greece today to face Olympiacos in the group stage opener of their UEFA Champions League campaign.
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Chelsea drops to No. 2 in the rankings, while Manchester United’s buzzy 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers has them an incredulous No. 5 (I can’t explain it either, though admittedly the win was Louis van Gaal’s first match nearing his full complement of signings).
Here are the rankings:
1. Atletico Madrid
2. Chelsea
3. Inter Milan
4. Barcelona
5. Manchester United
6. Aston Villa
7. AC Milan
8. Bayern Munich
9. Juventus
10. Borussia Monchengladbach