Ndicka Discharged From Hospital, Will Undergo Further Testing in Rome

Yesterday’s match against 16th-place Udinese was a frustrating affair for Roma supporters, as the Giallorossi faithful watched their club struggle against the Friuli-based club. Despite holding nearly 75% of the ball, Roma had very little to show for their efforts. With Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala watching from the bench, the Giallorossi were lacking their usual attacking verve. And when Dean Huijsen committed a goal-producing blunder in midfield, it felt like we were in store for a long and frustrating afternoon.

But those concerns became trivial the moment Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch with chest pains late in the second half. While the 24-year-old center-back remained conscious throughout the ordeal, even giving his teammates a thumbs up as he was carried into the tunnels on a stretcher, a hush fell over the packed Stadio Friuli, giving viewers at home an appreciation for the gravity of the situation.

After a night in the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine, Ndicka was discharged earlier today. Per the official club release:

Following acute precordial pain and atypical alternations in the EKG administered in the first aid room at the stadium, the player Evan Ndicka was hospitalized at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine.

First and second-level cardiological tests were administered that were negative for cardiac pathologies. In light of the last tests undergone this morning, the medical situation is compatible with a thoracic trauma with minimal left pneumothorax.

The player was discharged and will undergo additional tests in Rome.

AS Roma wishes to thank Udinese Calcio, referee Mr. Pairetto, the public present at the stadium in Udine and the medical and health staff at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine for their great professionalism and availability.

In those frantic minutes of apprehension, we all together demonstrated sports values and placed protecting life at first place.

While Ndicka isn’t quite out of the woods yet, this is tremendous news. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and pass along updates as they become available.