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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. 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 duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.