Preview: Rangers vs Roma - Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Ibrox Stadium will host Thursday's crucial UEFA Europa League match between Rangers and Roma. This game marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs and could decide which team advances to the knockout stages.

Rangers' Struggles in the Group Stage

Rangers have had a poor start in the group phase, currently sitting last among 36 teams after losing all three matches. Early defeats to Genk, Sturm Graz, and Brann have left the Ibrox side at the bottom of the table.

These results led to the dismissal of manager Martin Russell in early October. His replacement, Danny Rohl, has experienced a mixed start with two wins and two losses, including a Europa League defeat to Brann.

Roma’s Challenge to Turn Things Around

For Roma, automatic qualification to the round of 16 appeared achievable at the competition’s outset. They started strong with a victory over OGC Nice during Gian Piero Gasperini’s European coaching debut.

"Despite beating OGC Nice on Gian Piero Gasperini’s touchline debut in European football, the wheels have since fallen off, leaving Roma on the precipice of an early elimination."

However, consecutive losses to Lille and Plzen have severely hampered their chances for a top-eight finish. Roma now stands painfully low in 23rd place, heightening the urgency to secure all three points in Glasgow.

Match Significance

A victory is crucial for both teams aiming to reach the knockout rounds.
Rangers look to recover from a disastrous start under new management.
Roma must halt their decline and revive hopes of progression.

Summary: Rangers and Roma face a pivotal Europa League clash at Ibrox, each under pressure to win amid disappointing group stage performances and managerial shifts.

The Cult of Calcio — 2025-11-06