🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.