Soulé and Pellegrini find the net as Roma outclass Rangers

Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering 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 Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.