AFCON winner Ndicka collapses on the pitch, game abandoned

A drama in Udine! The match between Udinese and Roma was interrupted 20 minutes before the end after 24-year-old Ivorian Evan Ndicka collapsed on the field. Ndicka had previously grabbed his chest twice, and referee Parijeto immediately reacted, calling for the medical team to intervene as soon as he saw the former Eintracht player on the ground. Roma's defender was carried off the field on a stretcher, and the images are not pleasant at all. However, there is no precise information about his condition at the moment. Italian media suggest that it's likely a heart attack, but the use of a defibrillator was not necessary. As per Sky Sport Italia, Ndicka was given an ECG (an electrocardiogram) that gave the doctors results described as “worrying.” He was then rushed to hospital in an ambulance with a police escort to cut through traffic and get there as quickly as possible. The team went back home and coach De Rossi told the press that the player was fine and that he didn't suffer heart attack.

Apparently, Ndicka was alert and conscious when stretchered off, giving a thumbs up gesture. Ndicka did not seem to lose consciousness, he was alert and gave a thumbs up on the way off the field. The crowd cheered him up and Smalling came as a replacement. Coach Daniele De Rossi as well as defender Mancini came to the tunnel quickly as the referee gave enough time to Roma to see what will happen. Mancini ran back out very quickly, and passed on the message to his teammates. There is a little medical room right near the tunnel and Ndicka was probably there. Then De Rossi came out explaining to the referee the players are too anxious for their teammate and don’t feel ready to resume yet. He then gathered the squad around him and was talking to them. The game was suspended shortly afterwards with the current score 1-1 and it will be resumed from the minute and scoreline when it stopped when a new date is set.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 32

Friday

Lazio - Salernitana 4-1 (3-1)

/Anderson 7, 35, Vecino 14, Isaksen 87 - Tchaouna 16/

Saturday

Lecce - Empoli 1-0 (0-0)

/Sansone 89/

Torino - Juventus 0-0

Bologna - Monza 0-0

Sunday

Napoli - Frosinone 2-2 (1-0)

/Politano 16, Osimhen 63 - Cheddira 50, 73/

Sassuolo - Milan 3-3 (2-1)

/Pinamonti 4, Lauriente 10, 53 - Leao 20, Jovic 53, Okafor 84/

Udinese - Roma - suspended

21:45: (1.20) Inter (6.75) Cagliari (14.0)

Monday

19:30: (1.90) Fiorentina (3.45) Genoa (4.20)

21:45: (1.47) Atalanta (4.30) Verona (7.00)

***odds are subject to change***