Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini on target as Roma dominate Glasgow Rangers

There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted 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 meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.