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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They 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 complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.