🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

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 message, showed the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

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 the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.