Udinese-Roma match abandoned after Evan Ndicka collapses on pitch
The Ivorian defender is feeling well in the hospital and is in good spirits.
UDINE, Italy — Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch in Roma’s match against Udinese. The game, tied at 1-1, was abandoned as Ndicka was stretchered off and promptly driven to the hospital.
Ndicka, an Ivorian defender who recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with Les Éléphants, collapsed in the 72nd minute of the game, holding and rubbing his chest. He has appeared in 48 total games across club and country this season. He hadn’t played since a 0-0 draw against Lecce on April 1.
EKG tests did not reveal any signs of a heart attack, according to sources. The medical team that came on the field and assisted him also did not need to use the defibrillator on hand. The team visited Ndicka at the hospital, where he talked with the team. He will stay at the hospital overnight for further testing to determine whether he can rejoin the team for their Europa League quarterfinal fixture against Milan.
Ndicka joined Roma this season off a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt and has made an immediate impact. He’s strong and physical on the ball but can move very quickly and is very agile. He also spreads the ball around very well and is capable of possession.
Roma currently stands in fifth in the Serie A, just four points behind a Champions League spot. The team fired Jose Mourinho, who they started the season with, after a series of poor results that left them in ninth place. Under new manager and Roma legend Daniele De Rossi, they’ve had a spell of good form in both Serie A and the Europa League.