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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager continued for 123 days 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 clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came 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 until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.