Dein erstes Forum » keeping Heltons job safe, but the Trojans a

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-azzoni Fake Yeezy 700 Utility Black . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Yeezy 700 v2 Online .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.yeezy700outlet.com/ . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. 2020 Yeezy 700 . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Fake Yeezy 700 .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. LOS ANGELES -- Southern California shrugged off its dismal September with a stellar freshman quarterback and a revived defense.Sam Darnold passed for 352 yards and three touchdowns in his first home start, and USC emerged from its rough start to the season with a 41-20 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night.JuJu Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 123 yards and a career-high tying three TDs for the Trojans (2-3, 1-2 Pac-12), who emphatically avoided their first 0-3 start to conference play since 2001 with a blowout of the previously unbeaten Sun Devils (4-1, 1-1).When adversity hits, it reveals your character, USC coach Clay Helton said. The character of this team is something Im very excited about.USC racked up 34 consecutive points to take a 41-6 lead during the middle two quarters, and Smith-Schuster scored on catches of 5, 3 and 67 yards. Justin Davis had a 37-yard TD run among his 123 yards rushing for the Trojans.This is where the new season starts, Davis said. Whatever happened in the past is the past. We still have one of the best teams, and Im glad we could show what we can do tonight.Arizona State lost starting quarterback Manny Wilkins shortly before halftime when he was hurt while getting sacked by Rasheem Green. Wilkins watched the second half on crutches with a walking boot on his left foot, but coach Todd Graham provided no postgame information on the injury.After averaging 48.8 points in their first four games, the Sun Devils didnt reach the end zone against USCs inspired defense until Brady White threw a 13-yard TD pass to Raymond Epps with 8:37 to play.Im proud of our team for finishing hard, but we cant put ourselves in that situation, White said.BIG SAMDarnold was confident and excitingg in front of the Trojans home fans, rushing for a 3-yard score while going 23 for 33 with no interceptions.dddddddddddd A week after replacing Max Browne as the Trojans starter, the redshirt freshman quickly infused excitement into the Trojans inconsistent offense, showing off his big arm and elusiveness while going 23 for 33 with no interceptions.BIG PLAYUSC extended its lead to 34-6 when Smith-Schuster caught a short pass and crisscrossed the field while going to the end zone untouched early in the third quarter.THE TAKEAWAYArizona State: The Sun Devils came crashing back to reality with this embarrassment, and Wilkins long-term health could be an even bigger problem. They struggled to move the ball with either quarterback, and the defense was thoroughly overmatched -- not for the first time this season, either. Arizona State has work to do.USC: Just in time, the Trojans put together a comprehensively strong performance against a quality opponent. Their talent repeatedly shone through, and Darnold injected confidence and fun into a sometimes tentative team. USC still must scrap to get back in the Pac-12 race while keeping Heltons job safe, but the Trojans are in position make a run with three of their next four games at home.UP NEXTArizona State: The Sun Devils return to Tempe to host UCLA. They beat the Bruins in Pasadena last year.USC: The Trojans stay home to face surprising Colorado, which jumped to 4-1 with a blowout win over Oregon State. The Buffaloes are 2-0 in Pac-12 play after losing 40 of their first 45 league games.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '