Soulé along with Pellegrini on target as AS Roma overpower Rangers

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase 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 seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of just participating.