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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, 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. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’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 shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.