Transfer news: Dundee United expect Gary Mackay-Steven to stay

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is hoping he can hang on to the services of Gary Mackay-Steven.

The 22-year-old winger has been attracting interest from England, with Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United said to be keen on taking him to the Championship.

Mackay-Steven is, however, tied to a contract at Tannadice until 2015.

McNamara acknowledges that every player has his price, and that a sizeable bid could force his hand, but for now he is looking ahead with Mackay-Steven very much part of his plans.

He said: "It's part and parcel (given the) player's ability.

"Johnny Russell left there going into his last year, which we had to do. We couldn't afford not to. That's the nature of the business. The club has a selling point if players aren't going to sign new contracts.

"Fortunately Gary has two years to go so it puts us in a stronger position.

"Speculation means he is doing things properly and doing well, so long may it continue."

McNamara has been giving more attention to additions than departures of late and has hinted that the return of Mark Wilson to Tannadice may not be the last piece of transfer business he completes before the summer window closes.

He added: "I never say yes or no. Things change.

"Before Mark came in, we thought that was us with the transfers, but the opportunity came in. Whether that's the last, we'll wait and see when the window shuts."

Levy does not want Coentrao as part of a deal for Bale

Negotiations for Gareth Bale appear to be gridlocked and the soap-opera surrounding his move looks unlikely to be resolved until next week. Real Madrid has tried to include Fabio Coentrao in a deal for the Welshman, as Villas-Boas is a fan, but Tottenham wants any deal for the Portuguese full-back to be kept completely separate from the Welshman’s departure.

The reason that Levy wants to keep the deals for Coentrao and Bale separate is none other than to sign off on the highest possible transfer fee for the Welsh midfielder. Real wants to seal a deal for €86m plus Fabio Coentrao, but Tottenham still values Bale at no less than €109m, with no player included in the deal.

As things stand, Bale’s move to Real Madrid has stalled, although the Spanish club remains convinced that Levy will end up accepting the offer and that the Welshman will join Real Madrid on a five-year deal.

The atmosphere at the Bernabéu is the same as that in the Tottenham dressing room, where Villas-Boas is training his squad and does not expect Bale to be part of his future plans. Despite telling the press that "Bale is Tottenham’s future" – as he did last week -, the truth of the matter is that the Portuguese knows that the midfielder’s move to Real Madrid is a case of when rather than if.

Kubrat Pulev knows he must beat Tony Thompson to stay on course for a world title shot

Kubrat Pulev believes his shot at the world title will come as he prepares to take on Tony Thompson in Schwerin, Germany on Saturday.

The two unfashionable heavyweights clash in what amounts to a final eliminator for the IBF version of the title, held like all the others bar the WBC by Wladimir Klitschko.

Thompson, twice defeated by Klitschko but riding his confidence after two stoppage victories over David Price, fancies his chances of another upset against the unbeaten Bulgarian.

But Pulev, who has ditched his European strap to take on the American, knows he cannot slip up with a shot at the champion beckoning in 2014.

"I must beat him," Pulev admitted. "Afterwards, nobody will be able to talk about a worthy world title challenger without mentioning my name.

"My aim is to become world champion. I guess (other fighters) have a fear of losing against me. Maybe these fighters see an easier chance to get a big fight.

"I have no problem with that, because I just want to go toe-to-toe with fighters who have an ambition to go up with the best and Tony Thompson is definitely someone like that."

New IBF champion Darren Barker sends out warning to Felix Sturm

Darren Barker has told Felix Sturm to forget about taking his world title as he targets a triumphant homecoming fight in London.

Barker was crowned as the new IBF middleweight champion on Saturday after a courageous points victory over Daniel Geale in Atlantic City and his first defence is expected to be against mandatory challenger Sturm.

The German has already ruined the world title hopes of two fighters from these shores as he held Martin Murray to a draw and claimed a contentious points win over Matthew Macklin during his reign as WBA champion.

Barker hopes to face Sturm in front of his own fans in London and is confident he can defeat the man from Cologne after studying footage of his defeat by Geale last year.

"He's a good fighter Felix Sturm, but I think his best days were when he lost to Oscar De La Hoya," Barker told skysports.com

"He won't be as lucky as he was against the other two. I'm looking forward to getting in there with him. Like I say, he's a good fighter, but I'll definitely be beating him.

"Watching Daniel Geale, I saw a lot of the Felix Sturm fight and Geale just outhustled him and outworked him. He's not that exceptional on his feet, so you can do your work and move. I know what I have to do to beat him and it will be a massive fight here in England.

"I'm with the best promoter in the country and he puts on huge shows does Eddie Hearn. It will be a great occasion. Defending my world title in London would be another dream come true and I'm hoping it will happen."

Barker had considered retirement after a string of injuries and concerns were raised about whether he was physically and mentally tough enough to win a world title.

But the 31-year-old believes he has silenced his doubters after hauling himself off the canvas in the sixth round following a brutal body shot from Geale.

"That nine seconds seemed like an eternity," he said. "So many thoughts came through my head.

"I did think about the tough times and what I'd had to pull myself through. I kept reminding myself it was only a body shot, telling myself: 'get up, get up, you're better than this!' Somehow I managed to get up and I'm so glad I did. I was in bits.

"I've always had question marks over my stamina and my toughness. Everyone says I don't have that real grit and determination to go on and win a world title, so I really wanted to prove to everybody and myself that I've got it in me to tough it out when I need to. I'm proud in that sense as well."

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist has built up a reputation as a classy boxer, with polished ring skills, but he was happy to stand and trade with Geale during their gruelling battle.

Barker admits he was consumed by his burning desire for victory and abandoned his pre-fight tactics.

"I think it was me wanting to win so much," he said. "When you are travelling to fight for a world title on the other guy's show you've got to win the fight, and my desire and my will to win made me fight that way.

"I had to go and win the title. I had to grab it off him. I think at times that made me throw my game plan out the window a bit. Because our game plan was to stick to our boxing, attack when need be, instead of attacking all the time, but I think that was just my will to win. I really wanted to win badly."

Barker was not the only success story at the weekend as trainer Tony Sims guided his first fighter to a world title.

Sims has forged a close bond with Barker over the years and the victory was a fitting reward after the pair helped each other through some tough times.

Barker said: "Me and Tony have been to hell and back. He's had to put up with me.

"He's not only my trainer, he's a great friend. It's not just me winning this world title, I've done it for loads of people.

"My friends, my family, my brother and Tony is another person I have done it for because he's worked just as hard as I have.

"He does a lot, training me, getting me in fantastic condition, but as a friend he's put up with me because I'm a pain sometimes. He's a top man and deserves all the success as well."

Daniel Agger cannot help but learn from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

Daniel Agger says he cannot help but learn from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's leadership after succeeding Jamie Carragher as vice skipper.

Manager Brendan Rodgers appointed the Denmark centre-half, who captains his country, at the beginning of August as Sky Sports pundit Carragher's successor.

Agger told the club website: "I always have responsibility, no matter if you're vice-captain or not. You have to always be there, always be at the front and, of course, try to help some of the young players.

"Now I have been here for almost eight years and Stevie has been the captain all the way. He is an amazing captain: he is the one I will look at.

"Not only in his football skills, because that speaks for itself, but the person he is and the way he treats people - he's just the best."

Following the retirement of Carragher and Jose Reina's loan switch to Napoli, Agger automatically became the second-longest serving Liverpool player after Gerrard still in the dressing room.

The extra responsibility has not changed the 28-year-old's approach to his profession and he added: "It's the same in every single football team, in every single job - when somebody goes, somebody new has to take over.

"It has been like that forever. So there's nothing new there. Over the years, the players have changed a lot.

"So, of course, when you stay at one club for so long you become one of the senior players - even though it's a difficult word to say because I still feel the same as eight years ago.

"When I play for Denmark and I'm the captain for Denmark, I've learned a lot in the last 10 years of my career.

"I'm trying to take the best part of all the good things, also from Stevie, and put it together in the way I want to do it. I think that's the best way to describe that.

"It's the biggest thing you can achieve at international level, being captain of your country. Every time I put that armband on, it makes me proud.

"You learn something all the time and when you put that armband on, something happens to you. It's difficult to describe but it's a good thing."

Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu admits he may have to consider future

Jeremy Mathieu has revealed he could leave Valencia, if he is forced to play out of position by new coach Miroslav Djukic.

The French international only signed a new four-year deal at the start of the summer but has been unsettled by the prospect of having to play at full-back in 2013/14.

And with Bayern Munich and Barcelona both reportedly interested in the defender, it seems he would not be short of options if the situation cannot be resolved.

"I can't close the door on the possibility of leaving the club," Mathieu said.

"It all depends on the coming games and if I enter into the plans of the manager."

The 29-year-old was suspended for the opening day win over Malaga last weekend but has made it clear he expects to return to the side in his preferred position sooner rather than later.

He continued: "I don't want to play full-back. I stayed at the club to play in the centre. I respect the coach's decision but if it carries on I will have to talk to him.

"I am a little angry. For me it's normal to feel angry if I don't play. I don't want to spend the season sitting on the bench.

"If I'm not part of the manager's plans I can't close the door on a possible departure."

New Reading signing Royston Drenthe hoping for long-term stay at Royals

New Reading signing Royston Drenthe is hoping to stay with the club for a long time and says he finally feels settled.

The Dutch international moved to the Royals in June from Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz, having played for four clubs in the past three years.

After living in the club hotel at the Madejski Stadium, the former Real Madrid winger has moved into a house and is happy in Berkshire.

Talking to the Reading Evening Post, the 26-year-old said: "I have a house and I don't have to stay at the stadium.

"I'm really happy to be here and I hope I can be here a long time."

He also says he is back to full fitness after being worked hard by Reading's coaching staff and manager Nigel Adkins.

"I have to thank the gaffer, I have to thank the coach and I have to thank everybody who is working around me," he said.

"They worked really hard with me. It was a really tough pre-season but I'm in really good shape now."

Blackburn Rovers are considering a bid for Dutch winger Marvin Zeegelaar

Blackburn Rovers are running the rule over Dutch winger Marvin Zeegelaar, Sky Sports understands.

The 23-year-old former Ajax ace is available to move on loan from Turkish club Elazigspor and a number of English and Scottish clubs are understood to be keen on taking him.

Now Sky Sports understands that Blackburn are leading the chase and have invited him over for the week to train.

Agent Peter Morrison of James Grant Group who is brokering the deal confirmed to Sky Sports: "Blackburn have invited Marvin over so they can have a look at him at close quarters.

"He is very excited by this opportunity and is looking to impress Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer."

Christoph Metzelder's last hurrah

At the age of 32, Christoph Metzelder is putting his boots back on. As reported by 'Deutsche Welle', the former Real Madrid defender has decided to end his short-lived retirement in order to represent hometown club Tus Haltern, which plays in the German seventh division. This is the latest adventure in the career of a player who has always bucked the trend.

Metzelder spent three seasons in Madrid – from 2007 to 2010 – and immediately showed himself to be anything but your average footballer. Picking up Spanish quickly, he spent plenty of time out and about in the city, making the most of its vibrant cultural scene.

Things went less well on the pitch, however. Plagued by injuries, he made just 30 appearances in three years, looking a shadow of the player who had shone at Dortmund.

'Metze' left Real in 2010, moving to Schalke alongside Raúl and spending three injury-ravaged years in Gelsenkirchen, before announcing his retirement on 16th May this year.

Now, three months on, Metzelder is back in business, but far away from the limelight. Instead, he will ply his trade in his hometown of Haltern, which has a population of just 40,000.

The former Germany international's new coach, Sven Hozjak, has revealed that Metzelder is keen to help nurture the club's younger players. He also noted that the latest twist in Metzelder's career will see him change positions: "I fancy myself as a bit of a Guardiola type and I'm going to play him out of position. He'll play in midfield, in the role performed by Iniesta or Xavi at Barcelona. It's worked well in training".

Cissokho finally seals Liverpool deal

It has been a long time coming, but the deal has finally been sealed. On Monday, Aly Cissokho signed a loan contract which will see him play for the Reds this season.

The left back travelled to Liverpool on Monday to undergo his medical and seal his season-long loan to Brendan Rodgers' side, netting Valencia €1 million.

The Spanish club is now working on an exit for Pablo Piatti, who does not form part of manager Miroslav Djukic's plans.

Balotelli's car toilet-papered after fan snub

• Mario Balotelli, who is never long out of the headlines, saw his Ferrari covered in toilet paper by angry fans after refusing to sign autographs and have his photo taken with them.

  
  
  
  
  

PSG torn between Nani and Di María

PSG is weighing up a swoop for Real Madrid's Argentinian winger Ángel Di María or Manchester United's Portuguese schemer Nani to further strengthen the team before the transfer window closes, 'Le Parisien' reports.

The French newspaper adds that the cash-happy Parisian outfit is also eyeing up Ajax right-back Ricardo van Rhijn and France midfielder Yohan Cabaye, currently of Newcastle.

Fresh off handing Italian midfield starlet Marco Verratti a contract extension worth €2.5 million a year through to 2018, PSG is eager to bring in three more bodies – one at the back, one in midfield and one forward – in order to complete its squad.

Where attacking options are concerned, Laurent Blanc and his paymasters are unconvinced by the inconsistent form displayed by Argentina's Javier Pastore, who moved to Paris from Palermo for a whopping €42 million two seasons ago. This has sparked the club's interest in Di María, 25, who faces an uphill struggle to hold down a first-team place at Real Madrid if 'Los Blancos' do eventually seal a deal for Welshman Gareth Bale.

"The Argentine's profile has long appealed to PSG, but his status as a non-EU player could be a stumbling block", 'Le Parisien' notes, before suggesting that 26-year-old Manchester United winger Nani could be a viable alternative.

Raúl returns to Valdebebas

A day before the Santiago Bernabéu Trophy, in which he will receive a tribute from the Real Madrid fans,Raúl returned to the Valdebebas training complex to catch up with old friends.

The ex-club captain, who is all set to renew his love affair with the Bernabeú crowd on Thursday, headed to the training ground earlier today, Wednesday, to watch a session, chat with former teammates and greet Carlo Ancelotti and his backroom staff, including Zinedine Zidane.

Xabi out for 2-3 months

Xabi Alonso fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during Real Madrid's training session today, Wednesday. The Basque midfielder, who returned to the training ground on 26th July after a groin operation, will now be out of action again for between two and three months.

After he was injured, the Real Madrid medical staff immediately gave the midfielder an X-ray which confirmed the exact extent of the injury.

It is the same injury which Marcelo suffered last season during a match for Brazil. The Real Madrid full-back was laid low on 12th October and did not play a match again until three months later, on 15th January.

Xabi has had the ill fortune to suffer an injury shortly before making his return to the field of play, after missing out on the Confederations Cup, Madrid's pre-season games and the league opener against Betis with a groin injury.

Xabi was set to be the main addition to Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the Santiago Bernabéu Trophy, in which Real Madrid takes on Raúl's club, Al-Sadd, tomorrow.

Team still in the Mourinho mould

• Real Madrid starts slowly, but with a win

  
  
  
  
  
  There are times at which Real Madrid is screaming out for a centre-forward. Not for a Bale, but for a player who is adept at finishing, with a number 9 on his back; someone who just sticks it in the net, prowling around the box and feasting on any scraps from loose play; Someone who does what Isco did with the ball from Marcelo: just slam it home and set everyone's nerves at ease.
  Real has always had this type of player in its ranks. It wasn't Isco's job to score the winner. It was Benzema's job, but his performance was languid at times and on Sunday he got a warning from the Bernabéu. He's very good but he's got a mood on him and that can detract from his contribution.
  A full analysis of the team shows that it badly needs a centre-forward, a natural finisher. It needs one of those guys that scrunches up the tinfoil from his sandwich and belts it into the top corner without a second thought.
  Ancelotti has a lot of work to do. It's no surprise that he stayed over at the Valdebebas suite. The team is still having problems changing from its old habits. As a unit, the team still finds it more comfortable to counterattack than build. Since it's still early on and the legs are heavy, it's hard work tracking back, the centre-backs might not try as hard as they should and there are phases when the defence looked like a ship taking water. And at times it was more than an impression, because several good opportunities were leaked at the back.
  Carlo is full of good intentions and he showed that with his squad. He isn't going to allow himself the luxury of not having Isco and Özil in the same game. But results are results, and on Sunday things could have gone better.
  
  

Bert Trautmann to be remembered by Manchester City

Manchester City will commemorate the life of Bert Trautmann before the Monday Night Football game against Newcastle.

Trautmann, who died in July, famously played on in the 1956 FA Cup Final despite suffering a broken neck and was one of the greatest goalkeepers of his era.

A former German prisoner of war, he made 545 appearances for City between 1949 and 1964.

Monday night's game at the Etihad Stadium will be dedicated to Trautmann and a wreath laying ceremony will take place at 7pm, attended by 24 members of his family.

The matchday programme will have a 16-page pull-out tribute and the first-team squad will warm up in shirts with 'Trautmann 1' on the back. The shirts will be auctioned and proceeds donated to the Trautmann Foundation.

There will also be a minute's applause before kick-off and players will wear black armbands during the match.

Manchester City v Newcastle is live on Monday Night Football, Sky Sports 1HD, 7pm

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone brands La Liga "Boring"

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has again branded the Primera Division "boring" due to the overwhelming dominance of big two Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Aside from in 2008 when Villarreal finished runners-up, Barca and Madrid have finished in the top two positions in La Liga for the last nine seasons while the final gap between second and third place in the last four years has been 25, 21, 30 and nine points respectively.

And while Barca and Madrid have splashed out big money again this summer on the likes of Neymar, Isco and Asier Illarramendi - with the possibility of a world-record fee paid by Madrid for Gareth Bale still to come - many of the division's other leading teams have seen star players depart.

Atletico, who finished third, lost prolific striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco, fourth-placed Real Sociedad saw promising midfielder Illarramendi leave for the Bernabeu while Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas (both Sevilla) have all moved to the Barclays Premier League.

Simeone's side started their campaign with a 3-1 win at Sevilla on Sunday night but he immediately dismissed suggestions they could possible pip Barca and Real to the title. Barca started with a 7-0 triumph over Levante while Real defeated Real Betis 2-1.

"No, absolutely no. Madrid and Barcelona play in a different league. This is a boring championship for the rest of the supporters who can only aspire to be third or fourth," Simeone told reporters, echoing comments he made last year.

"We'll have to wait for a different distribution of television money because now the league is only of two."

Despite that, the Argentinian was nevertheless pleased to get off to a winning start as a brace from Diego Costa and a last-minute Cristian Rodriguez goal helped the Copa del Rey holders overcome Sevilla.

"It's very important to start with a win and moreover in the Sanchez Pizjuan. We had a lot of respect for them because they've changed the team here and have great players," said Simeone.

"They played at a high level throughout the game but we knew what to expect and we found the space to cause them damage."

Burnley set to reveal big losses

Burnley co-chairman Mike Garlick has revealed the club expect to have annual losses of around £8million for the previous season.

Garlick used his programme notes prior to the 2-0 win over Yeovil on Saturday to tell supporters that the Clarets "continue to operate with large losses" despite investment of over £10million during the last three seasons.

The coffers at Turf Moor were substantially boosted by the sale of prized-asset Charlie Austin to QPR at the start of the month, though, and Garlick is confident Burnley can break even this season.

"For the 2012/13 season our losses will be around £8million, so obviously we need somehow to bridge this gap," wrote Garlick, who claimed the club would welcome fresh investment.

"Some can be bridged by funding from the board and some by player sales; hence the sale of Charlie Austin.

"During the last three seasons, co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz and myself have invested over £10million into the club.

"This is over double any previous investments made by any individual in the club's history and I am happy to say I have never had a penny of my investment back."

Garlick added: "I think it is important to be honest with the fans and always be straight with them.

"The (£8million) loss is for last season, so that is the first thing to say. But that's the bad news.

"There is some good news, though. Because of all the work put in over the last seven to eight months by co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz, myself, all the other directors and the manager, this current season we are forecasting to break even. Going forward, that means we will be compliant with the financial fair play rules.

"The loss is behind us and we are moving forwards and doing the right things. We have cut the wage bill from last season and looked at all the costs and we're on the right track."

Arsenal make bid for Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye, Sky sources report

Sky sources report that Arsenal have made a bid for Newcastle's highly-rated French midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

The Gunners' Premier League season began with a miserable 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday and boss Arsene Wenger has been criticised for not strengthening his squad this summer.

But Wenger has made it clear he does expect to make signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and Cabaye has now emerged as a key target.

The 27-year-old has been linked with several clubs over the summer, notably French champions Paris Saint Germain.

And Arsenal have now entered the running for the France international, who joined Newcastle from Lille in the summer of 2011 and helped the Magpies to finish fifth in the Premier League that season.

Newcastle did not fare so well last term, perhaps in part because Cabaye, who has been capped 23 times by France, had to miss some time due to injury.

His new suitors Arsenal attempted to make a foray into the transfer market earlier this summer but failed to land Liverpool forward Luis Suarez after lodging a well-publicised £40m + £1 bid.

And the pressure on Wenger to spend has increased following the news that the Arsenal Supporters Trust have released a statement saying it would be 'inappropriate' to offer the long-serving boss a new contract.

PSG

Meanwhile, PSG boss Laurent Blanc remained coy when asked about his interest in playmaker Cabaye, but did say that he "loves" the player.

Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur as well as Blanc's PSG have also been linked with a move for the former Lille midfielder before September's transfer deadline.

When quizzed about Cabaye by reporters following his side's 1-1 draw at home to Ajaccio on Sunday, Blanc appeared reluctant to confirm or deny his interest.

"We're still interested in buying more players," said the 47-year-old. "Cabaye? There are a lot of things that you [journalists] write in the press.

"At the moment I can only say that I love this player."

Doncaster are looking, but say no deals are close

Doncaster Rovers manager Paul Dickov remains in the market for new recruits, but says no deals are close to being completed.

Having been handed the reins at the Keepmoat Stadium at the start of the summer, Dickov has been able to bring useful experience in the shape of Ross Turnbull, Richie Wellens and Theo Robinson into his ranks.

He is happy with the business he has been able to carry out and is wary of overhauling a squad still on a promotion high.

Additions of the right quality will always be welcomed, but Dickov says he has nothing in the pipeline with two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining.

"Any manager will tell you that you're always trying to bring players in," he told Sky Sports News.

Having the game on Friday night (against Blackburn Rovers) gave myself and the staff a chance to go out and watch teams and watch players at the weekend.

"What I will say is that I'm happy with what I've got at the minute. We've created competition for places by bringing good players in and the performances have been good. The players know that if they do well for me then we'll stick by them and we won't need to bring anybody in."

Pressed on whether he had targets lined up, Dickov added: "Not at the minute. We brought Theo Robinson in last week and what I don't want to do is change too many faces from last year.

"You could tell very quickly when we came into the club, you could see why the club got promoted with the character and the attitude.

"Yes, we wanted to add a bit of quality to it, but we want to keep faith with the boys who have got us here in the first place as well."

Inter Milan head coach Walter Mazzarri subjects players to fitness training

Inter Milan head coach Walter Mazzarri will subject his players to intense fitness training this week - despite overseeing a confidence-boosting Coppa Italia victory over 10-man Cittadella.

The Nerazzurri found themselves in the unusual position of entering the competition at the third-round stage after finishing a lowly ninth in Serie A last season, but they made sure of their place alongside the top-eight seeds by dispatching Cittadella 4-0 at San Siro on Sunday night.

Jonathan scored the first competitive goal of Mazzarri's reign with Rodrigo Palacio netting either side of half-time before Andrea Ranocchia added a fourth goal in the 63rd minute.

Serie B side Cittadella had seen their slim chances of competing crippled after 30 minutes when defender Simone Pecorini earned a red card.

The resolute display was a step in the right direction after one of the worst seasons in Inter's history but new boss Mazzarri knows Genoa will provide a much tougher workout during Sunday's opening league game in Milan.

He told inter.it: "Regardless of the result it was important for us to produce a convincing display.

"Some of us were a bit tense at the start, there were a few first-game nerves and we haven't reached peak fitness yet but after a few minutes we found a bit of confidence and courage and played some good football.

"The sending-off helped things but it's not the results we need to be looking at in this period; we just need to focus on ourselves and how we can improve. Cittadella were a bit fresher than us."

Four Serie A sides - Cagliari, Genoa, Livorno and Torino - were eliminated by lower-league opposition in the third round.

Inter's reward is a fourth-round meeting with Serie B minnows Trapani and the winners will then visit top-flight outfit Udinese - with a quarter-final clash with rivals AC Milan a possibility for Mazzarri's men.

Way-Too-Early Predictions for Every Major NBA Award Winner in 2013-14

Even though it's extremely early, be sure to bookmark these predictions for every major NBA award winner in 2013-14 and check back in April. 

These winners include an Executive of the Year who most expect, along with a rookie who some may not. They also include a Defensive Player of the Year who came close in the past and a Sixth Man settling into his new role. 

From Most Improved to MVP and everything else in between, each projected winner is highlighted accordingly.

Most Improved: Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

Fueled by untapped potential and explosive athleticism, Eric Bledsoe was one of the most highly coveted trade assets throughout the 2012-13 campaign. 

In a three-way deal that eventually sent Jared Dudley and J.J. Redick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Bledsoe, the Phoenix Suns acquired the 23-year-old combo guard on the final year of his rookie contract. 

After playing a role in support of Chris Paul for the Clippers, Bledsoe now has an opportunity for extended minutes with the Suns. Expect the player who averaged 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per-36 minutes last season to take full advantage of his new environment. 

While competing for the Most Improved Award specifically, Bledsoe's production will be measured against his three-year NBA career averages of 6.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Playing upwards of 30 minutes per night for the Suns moving forward, however, Bledsoe has a legitimate opportunity to double his 2012-13 stat line of 8.5, 3.1 and 3.0, respectively.

Beyond simply working to establish himself as an NBA starter in 2013-14, Bledsoe will also be playing for a new contract. If he maxes out his production alongside Goran Dragic at somewhere around 16.5 points, five assists and five rebounds (numbers it appears he's capable of), Bledsoe will run away with the MIP award.

In addition to securing that honor, he will also be on his way to cashing in big on a lucrative contract in free agency. 

Sixth Man of the Year: Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors

With an improvement in production to 16.1 points and 6.4 rebounds during the postseason for the Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes showed he is worthy of earning a starting job in the NBA.

Despite that, however, the Warriors upped their roster collectively this summer by acquiring former All-Star Andre Iguodala in free agency. The signing of the free-agent small forward will likely move Barnes into a sixth-man role, but he appears to have the professional mindset necessary to embrace that opportunity. 

During Team USA minicamp in July, Barnes spoke on the possibility of coming off the bench in 2013-14 with Sean Deveney of Sporting News.

"My role will remain the same—do whatever it takes to win,” Barnes told Sporting News. “Whether it is starting, coming off the bench. There are plenty of minutes to be divided up among everybody. I just have to make sure I am ready."

This winning spirit, coupled with a skill set that combines strength and athleticism at the small forward position, will create mismatches for Barnes against opposing second units on a nightly basis. Expect the second-year forward out of North Carolina to take full advantage throughout the year and excel as the league's top reserve.

Executive of the Year: Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will go wire-to-wire as the NBA's Executive of the Year in 2013-14.

Unless he ends up trading his starting five to the Toronto Raptors before the All-Star break, I don't see this award shaking out any other way. 

This summer, Morey completed a two-year overhaul in Houston that transformed the Rockets from a run-of-the-mill NBA team into a legitimate title contender.

On the heels of fleecing the Oklahoma City Thunder for the services of All-Star James Harden, Morey added the prize of this summer's free-agent class when he inkedDwight Howard to a max contract.

He's also filled out the Rockets roster with low-priced veterans like Marcus Camby, Francisco Garcia and Omri Casspi in support of his two stars, while maintaining the rights of Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin.

Simply stated, Morey has done everything in his power to build a winning roster in Houston, and he will likely be honored for accomplishing as much by season's end. 

Coach of the Year: Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers won big this offseason when they acquired the coaching services of Doc Rivers from the Boston Celtics. 

At the disposal of the coach who has won an NBA championship to go along with 1,060 regular-season games is an MVP-caliber floor general equipped with a number of weapons offensively. If any coach is capable of helping his lead guard put those weapons in the best position possible to succeed, it's Rivers. 

To win the NBA's Coach of the Year award, however, Rivers will first need to implement the newly acquired J.J. Redick effectively while also helping Blake Griffintake a step forward in 2013-14. 

Rivers must then position the Clippers as a serious threat collectively to win the Western Conference by the time the postseason approaches.

Based on his track record of success, rapport with his star point guard and ability to game-plan effectively on both ends of the floor, Rivers projects to accomplish all of that while securing this award. 

Rookie of the Year: Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers

Unlike the majority of this year's rookie class, Anthony Bennett will be placed in a position of strength by the Cleveland Cavaliers as he makes his transition into the league. 

Despite the traditional burden associated with being this year's No. 1 overall pick, nobody in Cleveland will be asking Bennett to save the franchise. That responsibility rests comfortably on the shoulders of Kyrie Irving, the player the Cavaliers selected first overall two seasons ago. 

Irving's presence at the point guard position will be pivotal to Bennett's success as a rookie. Paired in the backcourt with Dion Waiters, the Cavaliers will be able to employ a two-out, three-in lineup offensively with Bennett playing a hybrid small forward position that demonstrates low-post characteristics.

This system, specifically suited to Bennett's skill set, will lead to open looks in and around the high post area. There will also be 15-foot jumpers available, along with driving and post-up space created by the attention Irving and company will generate.
Additionally, Bennett will be able to learn how to attack the NBA glass by playing alongside the likes of Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao. If Andrew Bynum proves to be healthy, Bennett could even find himself essentially unguarded at times while defenses shift their attack to primarily stopping Irving and Bynum.

Bennett's statistical production could be somewhere around 15 points and seven rebounds per game as a result. Assuming the Cavaliers do contend for a playoff spot in 2013-14, Bennett would be in line for Rookie of the Year honors by season's end.

Defensive Player of the Year: LeBron James, Miami Heat

LeBron James began publicly lobbying for Defensive Player of the Year honors in response to finishing second to Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol in 2012-13. 

After noting that "it sucked" when he wasn't named DPOY, James offered the following, according to Ethan Skolnick of The Palm Beach Post: "I mean, I guard everybody on the floor. I don’t know if there’s one player in NBA history who’s guarded one through five (positions). It’s over with now, but that’s cool."

The truth is, James is correct with respect to his defensive versatility.

He is capable of defending 1 through 5 effectively, and there is not another player in the league who is able to accomplish as much. 

James complements his defensive versatility with the ability to connect on the spectacular block too, as San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter can confirm. 

Coming off a season where he also averaged 1.7 steals per night, expect James to collect his first Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013-14.

MVP: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite an injury to All-NBA teammate Russell Westbrook, critics openly questionedKevin Durant's greatness as the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder tumbled toward elimination in the second round of the 2013 playoffs. 

As a result, expect a less-than-friendly version of Durant to take the hardwood next season.

While playing with a chip on his shoulder, Durant will not only win the fourth scoring title of his career but also his first MVP award.

LeBron James will enter the 2013-14 campaign as the favorite to win the MVP for the fifth time with good reason. It will inevitably require a career year from Durant to dethrone James, but that is the specific performance he is capable of delivering. 

James Harden is gone and he's never coming back. Westbrook's return from injury is out of Durant's hands as well. All he can control is himself, and Durant will channel that energy into an MVP campaign that will put his Thunder right back in contention for an NBA championship.