Matías Soulé along with Pellegrini on target as AS Roma outclass Rangers

There was impressive effectiveness about 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 European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession from that point. They 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 complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.