Alex MacQuoid
Rangers Face Tough Europa League Test Against Roma
AS Roma supporters live by the motto “La Roma non si discute, si ama”—“You don’t question Roma, you love her”. This phrase, uttered by actor and passionate Roma fan Renato Rascel in 1951, encapsulates the club’s enduring spirit. Now, as Roma prepares to face Rangers in the Europa League, that spirit will be tested.
Roma’s journey has been a rollercoaster, with highs like the 2006-07 Serie A title and lows like relegation in 1951. Francesco Totti, the club’s legendary midfielder, spent nearly his entire career with Roma, forgoing lucrative moves elsewhere to stay loyal to his boyhood club. His dedication is a testament to the club’s deep-rooted passion.
This season, Roma has been a force in the Europa League, topping the group stage. However, their domestic form has been mixed. A narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan last weekend ended their 13-game unbeaten run in Serie A. Paulo Dybala, Roma’s Argentine forward, missed a late penalty in that match and will miss the Rangers clash due to injury. His replacement is likely to be Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Roma’s Europa League campaign has been inconsistent. After a strong start with a win over Nice, they suffered defeats to Lille and Viktoria Plzen at home. Now, they travel to Glasgow in need of a victory to keep their hopes alive.
Rangers, meanwhile, have had a challenging season. Their Europa League hopes hang in the balance as they face what could be their toughest test of the season. Roma’s squad is packed with talent, including Evan Ndicka, Wesley, and Zeki Celik in defense, and Manu Kone and Bryan Cristante in midfield. Up front, Artem Dovbyk, who scored in Glasgow for Ukraine in a World Cup play-off, will be a key threat.
Roma’s last visit to Scotland ended in a 2-0 defeat to Dundee United in the 1984 European Cup semi-final. They eventually lost the final to Liverpool on penalties. This time, they return to Glasgow with a different challenge ahead.
For Rangers, this match is a crucial test. A win could reignite their Europa League hopes, while a loss might signal the end of their campaign. Roma, with their motto of “Roma e Gloria”—“Rome and Glory”—will be hunting success on both domestic and European fronts as their rollercoaster ride continues in Glasgow.