Soulé along with Pellegrini find the net as AS Roma dominate Rangers
Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.
To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.
Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.
Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.
Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.
Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.
Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.
The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.
Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the bar.
That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.