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MADRID -- Its been hard to know what to expect from Real Madrid these days.Zinedine Zidane, always great as a player but increasingly unpredictable as a coach, has recently made a number of changes to his squad that have led to inconsistent performances and disappointing results.Zidane is trying different lineups and different setups, switching players and experimenting with new formations, but whatever he has tried hasnt fully worked.Madrid has won big in recent matches, such as 6-1 and 4-1 routs in the Spanish league, but it has also struggled badly in a series of draws and close victories against weaker opponents, including a lackluster 3-3 tie at winless Legia Warsaw in the Champions League on Wednesday.Madrids inconsistency was more visible than ever in Warsaw, as the Spanish powerhouse got off to a great start and opened a 2-0 lead before collapsing and allowing the hosts to take the lead.It only avoided defeat thanks to a late equalizer by Mateo Kovacic.We know we have to improve and we must show that, said Zidane, who has been increasingly criticized by Spanish media and fans.Zidane experimented with a formation that had four forwards playing up front against Legia. In addition to the trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, he also added Alvaro Morata to the lineup -- a move that ultimately left Madrids defense unusually exposed.I was looking to win the game, Zidane said. We played 4-4-2. We did it in preseason and its a system were familiar with. It worked well for us in the early stages of the first half but then things got a bit more difficult.Zidane changed his teams setup during the game by replacing left back Fabio Coentrao, who was returning after a long injury layoff, with midfielder Marco Asensio and reverting to a three-man defense. That also didnt work, and Madrid conceded yet another goal.We took a risk by playing with three at the back, Zidane said. But I dont think that we looked fragile. We got off to a very good start.Zidanes defense had already looked exposed when Madrid faced Legia at home a few weeks ago. In that game, Zidane didnt use Morata but played with a more offensive formation by setting free his defensive midfielders. He said that it was a calculated risk, and it paid off with a 5-1 victory.But critics have long pointed to Madrids defensive struggles under Zidane, with the team having conceded at least one goal in each of its last 10 matches.Our best games come when we defend and attack together as a team, defender Raphael Varane said. Playing with four forwards, theres a different balance. We knew wed have more space in behind and that wed have to defend together but we didnt do that very well (Wednesday).It hasnt helped Zidane that his squad has been depleted by the absences of key players, including Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Pepe, because of injuries.Zidane, the former France playmaker, gave no hints about what his lineup will look like for the Spanish league game against Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, when Madrid will try to defend a two-point lead over Barcelona. The Catalan club plays later in the day at fourth-place Sevilla, which is three points behind Madrid.Third-place Atletico Madrid, also three points back, plays at Real Sociedad on Saturday.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoniBabe Ruth Braves Jersey .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Chipper Jones Jersey . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/freddie-freeman-braves-jersey/ . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. Orlando Cepeda Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Deion Sanders Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me.OXFORD, Miss. -- Of the four main players from Mississippis talented 2013 recruiting class, three of them are now millionaires.Then theres safety Tony Conner.Hed likely be in the NFL right now -- along with defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, receiver Laquon Treadwell and offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil -- if it hadnt been for a major knee injury against Alabama last season that caused him to miss more than half of his junior year.Now hes back in Oxford while his former teammates are getting ready to play on Sundays. He insists hes OK with that.On draft night I watched and it was kind of crazy at first, Conner said. But I still salute those guys. God has a reason for everything.Conners recovery from the torn meniscus in his right knee has been tougher than initially expected. The injury happened in the teams win over the Crimson Tide in September, but the hope was he would have surgery and return in about 4-6 weeks.Conner came back for two games in November -- against Arkansas and LSU -- but it was clear he wasnt the same. He was shut down for the rest of the season and had another surgery.Conner said he feels about 90 percent and thats hes progressing each day and will be ready when the 11th-ranked Rebels face No. 4 Florida State on Monday in Orlando, Florida.Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Conner has handled the career setback as well as possible. The safety grew up about 25 miles from the Ole Miss campus in Batesville, so hes had plenty of family and friends close by to provide support.Hes got a great mom who keeps him grounded and hes just a guy who loves to play the game, Freeze said. I think, really, that Tony would stay at Ole Miss forr 10 years if he could because hes just a country boy who loves to be at home.dddddddddddd But hell get his opportunity in the NFL.If the 6-foot-0, 225-pound senior is close to his former self this year, the Rebels will receive a huge boost for their defense. The hard-hitter -- who often plays in the hybrid safety/linebacker role that the Rebels use in their 4-2-5 defense -- had 69 tackles as a sophomore in 2014 and led all SEC defensive backs with nine tackles for a loss.But players and coaches said the leadership he provides is at least just as important.Tony is a grown man back there and thats what I love about him, Ole Miss defensive lineman Breeland Speaks said. Hes going to play his heart out every time. Thats what you get with Tony. Any time you have a player like that with talent -- like first-round NFL talent -- you cant go wrong.Freeze said the Rebels mid-season swoon last year -- which included losses to Florida to Memphis -- was in part because the defense was a little lost without Conner.It took us three games last year to figure out how to play without him, Freeze said.Freeze said hed like to limit Conners snaps early in the season, but he might not have that luxury. The Rebels go into the game with several young players at safety following the departure of seniors Mike Hilton and Trae Elston.He is a leader, he understands the game, hes physical, Freeze said. Hes just a football player so I think him at 90 percent makes us a lot better.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ' ' '