Udinese-Roma Match Halted After Defender Evan Ndicka Collapses on Pitch

In a tense moment during Sunday's Serie A contest between Udinese and AS Roma, play was suspended after Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed with 18 minutes of normal time left. The match, taking place at Stadio Friuli, was at a 1-1 stalemate when the unfortunate incident occurred, prompting a suspension of the game after a brief period of discussion among both teams and referee Luca Pairetto.

Ndicka, a 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, was stretchered off the pitch upon collapsing during the game. In an encouraging update later on Sunday, Roma reported that Ndicka was conscious and receiving treatment in the hospital. His teammates visited him following the incident, and a statement shared on social media showed Ndicka in seemingly good spirits, indicating he would remain under observation for further tests.

The match had seen Udinese take the lead through former Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra, only to be equalized by Roma's Romelu Lukaku. Ndicka, who also participated in Ivory Coast's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations victory, began his career at French side Auxerre and joined Roma on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

Following this incident, Roma's next appearance will be their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg at home to AC Milan on Thursday, entering the game with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.