Matías Soulé and Pellegrini find the net as Roma outclass Rangers

There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.