Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini find the net as AS Roma overpower Glasgow Rangers

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. 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 was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.