European football: Roma’s Ndicka ‘in good spirits’ after collapsing

The Roma defender Evan Ndicka is recovering in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during Sunday’s Serie A meeting with Udinese. The game at the Bluenergy Stadium was abandoned after 72 minutes with the score at 1-1 after the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international went down off the ball.

Ndicka was carried off on a stretcher after undergoing treatment on the pitch, but Roma later confirmed that the player was “feeling better” and “in good spirits” after being taken to hospital for checks.

A statement on Roma’s official X account read: “The squad went to visit Ndicka at the hospital. Evan is feeling better and is in good spirits. He will remain in the hospital for further observations. Forza Evan!”

Medics rushed to Ndicka’s assistance after his collapse and the decision was taken not to resume the fixture as he headed for hospital. Roberto Pereyra had given the home side the lead before the break but Romelu Lukaku made it 1-1 with 64 minutes gone.

Elsewhere, the runaway leaders, Internazionale, were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Cagliari after the substitute Nicolas Viola equalised for the visitors late on.

Marcus Thuram gave Inter the lead with from close range in the 12th minute before Cagliari levelled through Eldor Shomurodov after the break. Hakan Calhanoglu restored the lead for the hosts in the 74th minute with a penalty given for handball by Yerry Mina, but Cagliari levelled again seven minutes from time when Viola struck.

With six games left Inter hold a 14-point advantage over second placed Milan, who drew 3-3 at relegation threatened Sassuolo earlier on Sunday thanks to a late equaliser from the substitute Noah Okafor.

Sassuolo stunned Milan with a goal from Andrea Pinamonti off a Kristian Thorstvedt flick after four minutes and doubled their lead six minutes later through Armand Laurienté. Rafael Leão revived Milan’s chances 20 minutes in with a solo run.

In the second half, the excitement persisted as Laurienté got another goal, eight minutes after the break, and Milan’s Luka Jovic pulled one back just before the hour mark with a close-range rebound. Six minutes before full time, the newly arrived Okafor received the ball inside the box and secured a point for Milan with a well placed shot.

Inter can still secure their 20th Italian championship in the Milan derby if they beat Stefano Pioli’s side on 22 April.

Napoli’s aspirations for a top-four finish were dealt a blow when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation threatened Frosinone.

In Ligue 1, second placed Brest lost 4-3 at Lyon after a penalty 11 minutes into stoppage time by Ainsley Maitland-Niles left the visitors 10 points behind the leaders, Paris Saint-Germain.

Eric Roy’s side remain on 53 points, only one ahead of Monaco, who have a game in hand. PSG’s match this weekend was rescheduled ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Barcelona, who they trail 3-2. Lyon have now gone five games unbeaten and climb to seventh place on 41 points, two points behind Lens in the race for European qualifying places.