Soulé along with Lorenzo Pellegrini on target as AS Roma outclass Rangers

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.