Matías Soulé along with Pellegrini on target as Roma overpower Glasgow Rangers

There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.