Roma’s Evan Ndicka suffered a collapsed lung when he fell to the pitch clutching his chest during Serie A game at Udinese… as Daniele de Rossi says Ivorian ‘luckily’ hasn’t got cardiac issues

Roma defender Evan Ndicka suffered a collapsed lung when he fell to the pitch clutching his chest playing against Udinese on Sunday.

The Serie A match was abandoned in the 72nd minute after Ndicka, 24, was carried off on a stretcher.

Roma manager Daniele de Rossi allayed fears Ndicka had suffered cardiac issues and revealed the cause of the Ivory Coast centre-back’s problems.

‘A collapsed lung is a painful thing but luckily, if we can say that, he’s not suffering from what we feared,’ De Rossi said.

Ndicka spent one night in hospital under observation before being allowed to return to Rome from Udine, with tests revealing no sign of cardiac issues.

Tests have revealed the cause of Ndicka’s collapse, which saw Sunday’s match abandoned

Roma posted a social media image of Ndicka looking positive in hospital after checks

The match – which was 1-1 when suspended following consultation between referee Luca Pairetto and the two benches – will have to be completed.

The Roma squad went to visit Ndicka in hospital, with a statement released on Sunday night confirming he was ‘feeling better and is in good spirits’.

Ivory Coast star Ndicka had started the game at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, with former Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra giving the hosts the lead, before Romelu Lukaku equalised. 

Having collapsed to the ground, Ndicka had raised his thumb as he was carried off down the tunnel on a stretcher. 

Sky Italia reported how Roma coach De Rossi had asked Pairetto to suspend the game while he checked on N’Dicka – who had stayed down after reportedly suffering a blow to the ribs – in the dressing room. 

After coming back out onto the pitch, De Rossi was seen in conversation with his players as they discussed whether to continue the game.

He then spoke to Pairetto and his Udinese counterpart Gabriele Cioffi, who seemed to be very understanding of the situation as the pair embraced.

Roma coach Daniele de Rossi (left) said medical tests had found no sign of cardiac issues

Roma’s players were full of concern as Ndicka was carried off the pitch on a stretcher

The game – which was 1-1 at the time – was suspended, before being abandoned shortly after

Udinese’s players, led by captain Pereyra, came over and De Rossi explained what was going on, before referee Pairetto signalled that the game had been abandoned.

As the decision was communicated, the whole of the crowd in attendance in Udine applauded the players, as Roma went over to clap their travelling supporters, along with those from Udinese.

Serie A confirmed that the final 20 minutes of the match will be played at a later date.

Ndicka, 24, joined Roma from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season.