Real end US tour with win over Roma
Bale torments Roma rearguard
AFP
AFP, LOS ANGELES: Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday.
Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the first half of the International Champions Cup friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Real Madrid is hoping Bale is ready to fully evolve into the player they signed for a world record fee in 2013.
The 33-year-old Ronaldo ended a nine-year spell at Real Madrid by recently signing with Italian champions Juventus.
Were scoring goals and were winning matches, so were doing well, Bale said. We have to keep improving and were really looking forward to starting the new season.
Asensio, with his third goal of the preseason, opened the scoring just two minutes into the contest. Bale delivered a brilliant pass to the foot of Asensio and he found the back of the net.
Real Madrid struck again in the 15th minute as Bale would score this time, taking an equally superb pass from Dani Carvajal. Bale walked in and beat goalkeeper Robin Olsen to make it 2-0.
Real Madrid wasnt nearly as dominant in the second half as most of their starting squad was subbed off.
Kevin Strootman made it interesting by scoring in the 83rd minute for Roma.
Strootman was left wide open off a throw-in and headed pass and all he had to do was hammer it past the startled Real Madrid goalkeeper.
The Champions League holders have had to adjust to life without head coach Zinedine Zidane and superstar attacker Cristiano Ronaldo as they seek to close the domestic gap to Barcelona in LaLiga during the campaign ahead.
Facing Serie A opposition at Metlife Stadium in Rutherford, Madrid picked up where they had left off in a dominant 3-1 win over Juventus last time out.
Madrid continued to cause problems. Benzema forced a good save from Olsen with a fierce drive from just outside the area in the 36th minute. And two minutes later, Asensio had a shot blocked at close range after a flowing move down the right.
Sweeping changes from both sides, including the introduction of Justin Kluivert, helped the Giallorossi to rally in the second half.
Kevin Strootman duly pulled one back for Roma when he met Patrick Schicks flicked header from a long throw unmarked at the back post in the 83rd minute, in what was just reward for an improved display in the second half from the Italian side, but they proved unable to force a late equaliser.
For the second match in succession, Madrid showed they still mean business despite selling talisman Ronaldo to Juve.
Bale and Benzema appear rejuvenated in the absence of their former partner in crime, while Asensio and Dani Ceballos look primed to become key players.
