Football news

Milan coach Leonardo preferred to focus on the positives after his team progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Zurich but finished second in Group C thanks to Real Madrid's 3-1 triumph at Marseille in the other pool game.

"The important thing was to qualify to the next round," said Leonardo. "We have achieved that. We now look ahead to the next round of the competition where we will have to change the way we play.

"We didn't play good football against Zurich but we cannot forget the importance of progressing to the last 16."

Arshavin is a model pro - Wenger

Arsene Wenger described Andriy Arshavin as an "example for everybody" in his approach to the game as the Russian football union launch an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour during the World Cup play-offs.

The Russians suffered a shock defeat to Slovenia as their bid to reach next summer's finals in South Africa came to an end last month.

Wenger insisted Russia playmaker Arshavin, who joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg during the January transfer window, is a model professional.

"He is a serious player and I have no doubt about his fitness at all," the Arsenal manager said. "I do not believe a word of what I hear, not at all."

Luxemburgo to coach Mineiro

Former Real Madrid and Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has agreed to take charge of Atletico Mineiro on a two-year contract from next year.

"Atletico has signed coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo for the next two seasons," the club from Belo Horizonte said in a brief statement on their website.

The 57-year-old Luxemburgo, who steered Santos to a modest 12th place, decided to leave the club when president Marcelo Teixeira lost his seat in the weekend's elections.

"I'm happy to return to Belo Horizonte and sure we'll have many good times," Luxemburgo said.

Real mull bid for Vargas - report

Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a bid in the region of £20 million for Fiorentina's Juan Manuel Vargas.

The 26-year-old Peru international has been in top form for the Viola since joining the club from Catania last season. Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has changed his role from that of a full-back to an attacking midfielder and he is reaping the benefits.

Real Madrid want to bring in a wing-back as Marcelo and Royston Drenthe have failed to estbalish themselves in the team.

According to Florence daily newspaper La Nazione, Fiorentina director of sport Pantaleo Corvino would consider a bid of around £20m too low for a player of Vargas's quality.

Man. City duo hit by swine flu

Staff and players at Manchester City have undergone tests for the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, after two players were discovered with the illness, it was reported yesterday.

Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss was ordered to stay at home instead of reporting for Saturday's match against Chelsea, won 2-1 by City, after he was diagnosed with the virus.

City yesterday confirmed that striker Craig Bellamy has also been suffering from the illness. Although Bellamy is believed to be over the worst, he remains doubtful for Saturday's match away to Bolton as he battles to recover from a knee injury.

The Premier League club have previously been affected by swine flu. Micah Richards contracted the virus while on holiday in July.

Duarte leaves Le Mans post

Coach Paulo Duarte has left Le Mans by mutual consent with the club currently second from bottom of Ligue 1.

The Portuguese was appointed in the summer and combined the role with his job of Burkina Faso manager.

However, the team have won just two games all season and are six points from safety. With Duarte set to be absent for a month at the African Nations Cup, president Henri Legarda has been forced to act.

The club said: "We couldn't, in our position, do without the presence and energy of the head coach of Le Mans for a whole month, even more so in January."

Arnaud Cormier will take over until the end of the season with Laurent Peyrelade acting as his assistant.

Juve linked with Dzeko, Dominguez

Juventus are planning to bolster their attack with the signings of Edin Dzeko and Alejandro Dominguez in the wake of their humiliating exit from the Champions League.

Dominguez, the Rubin Kazan striker, is the most likely to move to Turin as he is out of contract in the summer and looking for a new club.

Negotiations are reportedly already underway for the 27-year-old Argentinian, although his transfer would not be immediate.

Dzeko, the Wolfsburg striker, is being courted by Milan and several other big European clubs but Juventus intend to join the race for his signature.

Another high-profile name said to be on Juve's short list is that of Marouane Chamakh, the versatile Bordeaux forward.