Ronaldinho and AC Milan have overcome a slow start to the season and have climbed into second place. Now with a change to redeem their early season loss to Internazionale, Milan would be within three points of first come Sunday night. (Photo: Zumapress)

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Consider this an open thread to start getting excited about the club soccer weekend.

While leagues in England, France, and Portugal devote time to their domestic cup competitions, headline match-ups in Italy and Germany fill the void.

European soccer fans will be focused on the San Siro, where Internazionale and AC Milan meet for the second time this year.  Inter's lead atop the Serie A is down to sick points, and with Milan holding a game in hand, the Rossoneri could be in a virtual tie for first should they down Inter.

More on that and the other key match-ups in Italy, below, but there is also a headlining match in Germany.

Bayern Munich is the team on the rise in the Bundesliga.  Their Saturday match-up at Werder Bremen will feature the league's two most talented sides, each going in different directions.  After spending most of the season's first half behind first-place Bayer Leverkusen, Bremen now sits sixth, ten points back.

After the jump, a look across the world's leagues at some of the weekend's key match-ups.

Europe

Belgium:  Anderlecht is running away with this league.  Best scoring record, fewest goals allowed, and they destroyed Standard Liège last week, 4-0.  They are six points ahead of Club Brugge, though Brugge get to play their game-in-hand this week, going to mid-table Genk.  Brugge is coming off an embarrassing, 4-0 shellacking the hands of hird-place Gent in club play. Brugge is, however, unbeaten in five in the Jupiler League.  Anderlecht is off.

England:  For the most part, it is an FA Cup weekend, with the big matching being Tottenham Hotspur hosting Leeds United, Everton hosting Birmingham City, and Arsenal going to Stoke.  In league play, Manchester United will welcome Hull to Old Trafford.

France:  No matches in Ligue 1 this weekend, as the Coupe de France takes center stage.  The only match-up between first division sides is Sunday, as Monaco hosts Olympique Lyonnais.

Germany:  Frank Ribery is expected to be back for München when they go to Bremen.  With a win, Bayern could take over first, depending on what happens with Leverkusen and Schalke.  Bayer is in first with 38 points, two ahead of Bayern before their Sunday trip to Hoffenheim, whose poor run has them now in eighth place.  Schalke is at relegation-battling Bochum, riding a four match winning streak.

Greece:  Panathinaikos hosts fourth place Aris in a match-up that is sure to get attention here in the United States.  Two Americans have recently moved to Aris.  Eddie Johnson saw action in last week's win at Giannina, and Freddy Adu is expected to be available Sunday.

Italy:  Alexandre Pato is not expected to play, and Alessandro Nesta is a concern for Leonardo and AC Milan.  For Inter, Estaban Cambiasso returned last week and could play.  Dejan Stankovic is still out.  But Inter-Milan is not the only interesting match on the Serie A docket.  Third place Roma goes to fifth place Juventus looking to kick the Old Lady while she's down.  Palmero and Fiorentina play in a match amongst sides who should fight for the Europa Legaue spots.

Netherlands:  Twente dropping points last week to Utrecht has them in second place, with PSV atop the table on tiebreaker.  Eindhoven hosts NEC today, one week after NEC pulled themselves out of a relegation play-off spot.  Meanwhile, Twente goes to Groningen expecting the three points they will need to keep up with PSV.

Portugal:  Portugal is also off this week for league cup competition.  Braga hosts União, Lisbon goes to Trofense, Benfica is at Rio Ave, while Porto visits Estoril.

Spain:  There are no collisions between big names this week in La Liga.  Barcelona is at Real Valladolid.  Real Madrid hosts Málaga while Valencia, off their convincing win over Villareal, is at Tenerife.  The most competitive match-up sees Deportivo La Coruña (fifth) host Athletic Bilbao (seventh), while Atlético Madrid and their four match unbeaten streak will make their trip to eight-place, counter-happy Getafe interesting.  

Turkey:  First place Fenerbahce is playing as I type, hosting Denizlispor.  Galatasaray could debut new center half Lucas Neill against Gaziantepspor.  The most interesting match might be Besiktas, now only five points out of first, hosting Istanbul BB in a minor-derby.  Bursaspor (fourth) will be at Kasimpasa while Kayserispor hosts Genclerbirligi.

North and Central America

Costa Rica:  Alajuelense and Universidad lead groups A and V (respectively), getting the only win in last weekend's openers of the Torneo de Verano.  This week, Alajuelense goes to Puntarenas while Universidad hosts Liberia Mia.

Mexico:  Club América's 5-1 win last weekend over San Luis has furthered the impression they are ready to challenge for the Bicentenario.  This weekend they face a Morelia side who, though they were strong in the Apertura, stumbled at Santos to open the new tournament.  Monterrey goes to Atlas, Cruz Azul hosts Pumas, and Toluca hosts Jaguares, looking for their first win of the new tournament.

South America

Brazil:  Futebol in Brasil has started their local competitions.  There are too many to get into in this piece, but perhaps a good piece next week would look at all the local leagues, give an update as well as some history?  Please let me know if that would interest you.

Chile:  The Chilean league returns this weekend with the opening of their Apertura.  Universidad Católica is at O'Higgins, what should be a good tournament-opener for them.  La Serena goes to Santiago Morning while Audax Italiano host Ñublense on Monday.  Colo-colo is at Unión San Felipe Saturday.

Uruguay:  The Primera also starts back up this weekend, with their Clausura.  Nacional looks to continue their preeminence, opening the tournament with Cerro Largo.  Liverpool, runner-up in the Aperture, is at Cerrito, with Defensor going to Atenas.