Soulé along with Pellegrini find the net as AS Roma overpower Rangers

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious 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 his team in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.