Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini on target as Roma dominate Rangers

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.