Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini find the net as Roma overpower Rangers

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.