Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale (11) plays the ball against Roma midfielder Javier Pastore (27) and forward Patrik Schick (14). (Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid, which recorded a 2-1 victory over AS Roma in a International Champions Cup match at MetLife Stadium Tuesday night.

With Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real and playing for Juventus, Bale is expected to pick up some of the slack.

“We’re scoring goals and we’re winning matches, so we’re doing well,” Bale said. “We have to keep improving and we’re really looking forward to starting the new season.”

Asensio lifted the Spanish power into the lead with his third preseason tally in the second minute as Bale assisted on the score.

In the 15th minute, Bale doubled the lead, converting Dani Carvajal’s pass past goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Roma’s Kevin Strootman sliced the lead in half in the 83rd minute.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.