Soulé along with Pellegrini find the net as Roma overpower Glasgow Rangers

There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed 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 team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.