Soulé along with Lorenzo Pellegrini find the net as Roma outclass Rangers

There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers 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 transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.