The shocking moment occurred in the 72nd minute when Ndicka suddenly collapsed away from the action and clutched his chest. The former Eintracht Frankfurt central defender was taken off the field on a stretcher, but gave the all-clear when he gave a thumbs up.
Roma coach Daniele De Rossi then went into the dressing room to see his protégé. After a break of several minutes, De Rossi returned and consulted with Udinese coach Gabriele Cioffi and referee Luca Pairetto. The game was then abandoned in the 81st minute.
After rumors of a heart attack circulated in the Italian media, Roma gave the all-clear on Sunday evening. The club posted a photo on X of Ndicka showing off his strained right bicep in a hospital bed. “The team visited Ndicka in hospital. Evan is improving and in good spirits. He will remain in hospital for further observation. Forza Evan,” the club wrote.
Ndicka played for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga from 2018 to 2023 and won the Europa League with the Hessians. Last summer, the 24-year-old moved to Roma on a free transfer.