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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing 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 business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper 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 replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.