Why Roma will offer Rangers toughest test of season

Europa League: Rangers v Roma

Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Date: Thursday, 6 November Time: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

AS Roma supporters have a saying, "La Roma non si discute, si ama", which is translated as: "You don't question Roma, you love her".

It was uttered by actor, singer and passionate Il Giallorossi supporter Renato Rascel following the club's relegation from Serie A in 1951, their lowest ebb.

The great Francesco Totti took that statement quite literally, playing almost 800 games for his boyhood team, which came at the expense of his medal tally.

The 2006 World Cup winner was restricted to one Scudetto and two Coppa Italia triumphs as he ignored lucrative moves to more successful clubs to see out his playing days in the Italian capital.

And for Roma fans of all ages, it is a club that has taken its followers on an almighty rollercoaster ride. This season has proved to be no exception as they challenge at the top of the Europa League table before facing Rangers on Thursday.

With Atalanta's Europa League-winning head coach Gian Piero Gasperini taking over in the summer, they are desperate to end a quarter of a century-long wait for the title and they've certainly given themselves a platform to do just that.

Just over three years ago, Jose Mourinho guided them to the inaugural Conference League title, overcoming Feyenoord in Tirana, before leading them to the final of the Europa League 12 months later, losing on penalties to Sevilla in Budapest.

There is more than a flicker of light that more success is just around the corner, but Roma lost away from home for the first time this season last time out - AC Milan squeezing home 1-0 at the San Siro on Sunday.

For context, a win would have taken them to the Serie A summit for the first time in a decade and, like Rangers in their League Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic, they had plenty chances to do so in what was an entertaining contest.

Argentine World Cup hero Paulo Dybala had a late penalty saved in a game in which it was barely believable that only one goal was scored.

Dybala injured himself taking the spot-kick and will miss the trip to Ibrox, with his place likely going to Italy international Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Defender Angelinho, who scored against Rangers in the semi-finals of this tournament whilst at RB Leipzig in 2022 and Ireland forward Evan Ferguson, who is on loan from Brighton, are also absent.

Despite a promising start domestically, Roma's Europa League campaign has spluttered. They beat Nice on the opening night but have been beaten by Lille and Viktoria Plzen in the Stadio Olimpico in their past two.

Thus they come to Scotland in need of a victory, with bottom-placed Rangers in an even poorer position.

Led from the back by Ivorian centre-back Evan Ndicka and wing-backs Wesley and Zeki Celik, Roma have plenty threats across the entire team.

France midfielder Manu Kone has become a huge player for club and country, with Italian Euro 2020 winner and club captain Bryan Cristante anchoring alongside him and big-money summer signing Neil El Aynaoui, who arrived from Lens.

Ukraine's Artem Dovbyk - who Rangers forward Bojan Miovski effectively replaced at Girona 12 months ago - was their top scorer last season with 17 goals, which came after a standout season at his previous club when he hit 25 in 41.

He's also scored in Glasgow before, having netted Ukraine's third in their World Cup play-off semi-final win over Scotland in 2022.

The last time Roma were in Scotland they were on the receiving end of arguably Dundee United's best performance in continental competition, losing their European Cup semi-final first leg 2-0 at Tannadice before recovering - infamously, with the help of others - in the second leg in 1984.

They lost the final on penalties to Liverpool in their own stadium that year, with Jim McLean and his United players toasting the Anfield side's success from back home.

That tie is the Italians' only previous meetings with a side from Scotland but they will return to Glasgow next month to face Celtic.

In truth, it may be win or bust for Rangers' Europa League hopes as they face up to arguably the toughest test they'll have taken on this season.

Another club motto is "Roma e Gloria," or Rome and Glory. And they will be hunting success at home and abroad this term as their rollercoaster arrives in Glasgow.