Soulé along with Lorenzo Pellegrini on target as Roma outclass Rangers

Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.