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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.