dgers 15-5 rout of the Phillies on Tuesday night.Howard marveled at the reaction to one of Philadelphias most beloved athletes.It just goes to show the body of work hes done here, the respec

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 http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Timmy-Jernigan-Jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Jerome-Brown-Jersey/ . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Nelson-Agholor-Jersey/ . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Vinny-Curry-Jersey/ . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Patrick-Robinson-Jersey/ . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard and Chase Utley homering in the same game brought back memories for Phillies fans.This time, though, Utley went deep twice as an opponent and got curtain calls after each of his two home runs -- including a grand slam -- in his first game at Citizens Bank Park since last seasons trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Those cheers came after fans greeted him with a 1 1/2-minute ovation before he struck out leading off the Dodgers 15-5 rout of the Phillies on Tuesday night.Howard marveled at the reaction to one of Philadelphias most beloved athletes.It just goes to show the body of work hes done here, the respect that the fans have had for what he was able to accomplish here and help us to be able to accomplish, Howard said. I thought it was very classy by the fans.Utley acknowledged the fans reaction.Its completely overwhelming, Utley said. The standing ovation my first at-bat is something Ill never forget. It was truly special.Utley was a six-time All-Star in 13 seasons as Philadelphias second baseman, helping the team win five straight NL East titles and the 2008 World Series. Fans showed their appreciation with four standing ovations.Its something you cant really describe in words, Utley said. Its a special feeling to see the fans show that much support.In the fifth, Utley hit a two-out solo homer off Vince Velasquez (8-5) and raced around the bases in customary fashion. Fans clamored for a rare curtain call by a visiting player, and Utley obliged to another standing ovation.In the seventh, Utley hit a grand slam off Michael Mariot, and fans again cheered him back out of the dugout. It was Utleys seventh career grand slam. His first career hit was a grand slam at Veterans Stadium.Its just good to be back, he said. I tried to downplay it as much as possible, but its been something Ive been looking forward to for a long time.Howard launched his 375th career homer with a blast to center in the seventh. It brought back memories of when he and Utley used to produce monstrous numbers batting third and fourth for the Phillies.It was against us, so it was a little bittersweet, Utley said. But anytime Ryan hits a home run Im definitely happy when Ryan is successful. Hes one of my better friends. Im happy hes playing well.Likewise, Howard was glad to see Utley have success in his return. And even though Utleys cap was blue, Howard always will consider him a teammate.Hes always going to be a Phillie at heart, and I think hes always going to be a Phillie to everybody here, Howard said.WELCOMING UTLEYUtleys presence put a buzz in Philadelphias ballpark during whats been a lackluster season. Fans applauded when he jogged to the outfield for warmups, and he twice stopped to sign autographs beetween conversations with former teammate Ryan Howard in center field.dddddddddddd There were signs throughout the ballpark welcoming Utley back.We had a lot of great times here at this stadium, Utley said prior to the game. I spent so much time here, so many great memories. I cant really say enough about the support I received. Obviously we had some great players and great coaches, but the fans kind of took us to the next level.As Utley hit leadoff wearing his familiar No. 26, public address announcer Dan Baker introduced him to shouts and applause, including from players on both teams. Utley doffed his helmet and waved to the crowd, and when he tried to step to the plate, fans continued their ovation. Plate umpire Ron Kulpa moved to clean home plate while Utley stepped out again, touching his heart and raising his fist in appreciation.I truly believe without their support and without them pushing us to be better, we would not have had the team that we had, Utley said of the fans.Utley was traded last Aug. 19 and never got a chance to acknowledge the fans because the trade wasnt finalized until after the game that night.I didnt really have an opportunity to say goodbye, Utley said. If I were to write up a script (last year), it would have gone a bit differently.He departed the Phillies after playing 1,551 games, compiling 1,623 hits, 142 homers and 916 RBI. Utley remains one of the most beloved Philadelphia athletes ever for his talent, hustle and grit.There are so many times Id meet a father with his son, or even a mother, who would praise the way I played and would tell me they want their son to play that way, Utley said. To me, thats a true compliment.VELASQUEZ LOSES AGAINVelasquez gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings to fall to 0-3 with a 6.03 ERA in his last six starts.MAEDA WINS AGAINKenta Maeda (12-7) allowed two runs and three hits in six innings with nine strikeouts and one walk for the Dodgers, who began Tuesday a half-game back of the Giants in the NL West and leading the NL wild-card race by 3 1/2 games.KENDRICK, GRANDAL HOMERHowie Kendrick had four hits, including a home run and a triple, and drove in three runs and Yasmani Grandal homered and had three hits for Los Angeles.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: Velasquez appeared to be favoring his left side in his final inning. He limped off the field when manager Pete Mackanin removed him from the game. Velasquez had a stint on the DL from June 10-27 for a right biceps injury.UP NEXTDodgers LHP Scott Kazmir (9-6, 4.44) faces Phillies RHP Jake Thompson (1-1, 8.68) in the second matchup of the three-game series. 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