During travel, it’s not uncommon to see Evan Ndicka of AS Roma with a book in hand, whether he’s reading or studying. Spend just five minutes in his company, and it’s clear that he is not only a strong defender but also a person of depth. This might be what makes Ndicka a bit more special compared to others—he makes a difference both on and off the pitch.
Having already won the Europa League in 2022 with Eintracht Frankfurt and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 with Ivory Coast, Ndicka also faced a life-changing moment on April 14. During a game in Udine, he suffered a left pneumothorax that left him collapsing on the field, causing widespread concern. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: that day, I felt more fear than pain.” Fortunately, that incident is now merely a troubling memory, and Ndicka is focusing on the new season and Roma’s ambitions.
So, how has his pre-season been so far? “Very good. We are training well in England, just like we did in Trigoria. We feel the support from the ownership and the club, which is important for us, just like all the advice from De Rossi. We hope to be ready for our opening match in Cagliari.”
When asked about competing in Europe again, Ndicka expressed his curiosity about the new format of the Europa League. “It’s an interesting change. Last year we narrowly missed the final; this year we want to aim for the best possible outcome.”
As a key figure in Roma’s defense, Ndicka noted that they are working on various strategies for ball progression. “As a defensive unit, we’ve been focusing on our build-up play, both with and without the ball. We need to be higher and more aggressive. De Rossi emphasizes maintaining a high line even when we don’t have possession. We are training to stay compact, and as defenders, we need to ‘bite’ at attackers when they get the ball.”
Departing from defense, Roma has recently signed striker Dovbyk, and Ndicka shared his initial thoughts. “So far, I’ve only done 2-3 training sessions, but I’ve already seen he is a very strong forward. I am confident that both Le Fée and Soulé are also technically gifted and will help us improve on last season.”
Addressing how he is helping integrate the new signings, Ndicka said, “I speak French and have been working with Enzo (Le Fée), while Dybala and Paredes are helping with Soulé, who has been friends with them for a long time. Our group is excellent at helping everyone settle in quickly, including Dahl, Ryan, and Sangaré.”
Reflecting on the incident in Udine, has the fear faded away? “Absolutely. I really only felt fear for the first week. But now, I feel good. Physically and mentally, I’m stronger than before. I want to thank the people of Udine for their sensitivity and everyone in Italy for their support. I will never forget that; it truly meant a lot.”
When asked if he ever thinks about that moment on the pitch, Ndicka replied, “No. For me, it’s like before that game; I don’t feel pain or fear. Experiences like that help you grow. Every match feels like those that preceded Udine.”
Despite being at Roma for only a year, Ndicka already carries an aura of leadership. “I feel important, but in this group, we are all leaders. A leader is someone who does everything on the pitch to help the team. I see everyone in Roma behaving that way. It’s the right mentality we need to go forward and have a successful season. We don’t just need leaders; we all need to be one together.”
Finally, is this Roma stronger than last season’s squad? “I can’t say yet; we need to wait for the actual matches that count, starting with Cagliari, Empoli, and Juventus. But I can say we have what it takes to make a leap in quality. We are working to improve and reach our goal: qualifying for the Champions League. After all, we are Roma, and our ambitions should always be high, as our club’s name demands.”
