Soulé along with Lorenzo Pellegrini on target as Roma overpower Glasgow Rangers

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs 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. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.