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

There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition 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 consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years 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 the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.