Match Details
- Matchup: Rangers vs. AS Roma;
- Location: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow;
- Date: Thursday, November 6;
- Kickoff: 20:00 GMT;
- Broadcast: Tune in to BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds for live coverage, or follow live text updates on the BBC Sport site.
The Roma Spirit
AS Roma fans often express their unwavering loyalty with the phrase “La Roma non si discute, si ama,” meaning “You don’t question Roma, you love them.” This sentiment was famously shared by actor and devoted supporter Renato Rascel during one of the club’s challenging periods in 1951 when they faced relegation from Serie A.
Legendary player Francesco Totti embodied this spirit throughout his career, dedicating nearly 800 appearances to the team he adored, despite limited success in terms of titles. He achieved only one Serie A championship and two Coppa Italia titles, rejecting moves to wealthier clubs to remain loyal to Roma.
The current season continues to reflect the club’s unpredictable journey, as they compete fiercely in the Europa League ahead of their encounter with Rangers on Thursday.
With new coach Gian Piero Gasperini—an architect of Atalanta’s previous Europa League success—Roma is eager to finally secure a title that has eluded them for 25 years. They appear ready to mount a strong campaign.
A Season of Ups and Downs
Jose Mourinho previously led Roma to victory in the inaugural Conference League, defeating Feyenoord, and guided the team to the Europa League final, where they narrowly lost to Sevilla in a penalty shootout.
Despite signs of promise, the team recently suffered their first away loss of the season, falling 1-0 to AC Milan. This defeat kept them from climbing to the Serie A top for the first time in ten years. Similarly, Rangers are facing their own struggles, highlighted by a semi-final loss to Celtic.
Romantic drama continued in Roma’s recent match where Paulo Dybala missed a crucial penalty that could have changed the outcome. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during the attempt and will not be traveling to Glasgow; his potential replacement is Lorenzo Pellegrini. Key players, including Angelinho and Evan Ferguson, are also expected to miss the match.
While Roma started strongly in the Europa League with a win against Nice, they have suffered setbacks, losing to Lille and Viktoria Plzen in their last two outings.
As a result, the pressure is on for Roma to secure a vital win as they face a struggling Rangers side.
Key Players to Watch
Evan Ndicka, the Ivorian center-back, alongside wing-backs Wesley and Zeki Celik, bring considerable strength to Roma’s defense. In midfield, Manu Kone has emerged as a pivotal player, with the solid presence of captain Bryan Cristante complementing him. Summer signing Neil El Aynaoui adds further depth.
Artem Dovbyk, a key forward for Roma, previously held the top scoring spot last season, and Rangers may find him particularly dangerous—especially considering his previous successes in Scotland, scoring against them in an important World Cup qualifier.
Roma’s only previous encounter with a Scottish club came in the European Cup semi-finals against Dundee United in 1984, where they suffered a disappointing defeat. They will soon return to Glasgow to face Celtic, adding to their Scottish challenges.
This upcoming match against Roma may be a defining moment for Rangers, as they confront one of their most formidable opponents this season. As the club motto goes, “Roma e Gloria”—the team is ready to chase success both domestically and internationally.
