🔗 Share this article

There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto 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 perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.