Soulé along with Pellegrini on target as AS Roma overpower Rangers

There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures 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. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides 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 near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.