Matías Soulé and Pellegrini find the net as Roma overpower Glasgow Rangers

There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. 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 sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound 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 appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.