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Daniele De Rossi to rely on Evan Ndicka in Europa League semifinals with Bayer Leverkusen

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Evan Ndicka of AS Roma reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 knockout round play-offs second leg match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at Stadio Olimpico on February 22, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Andy Mattioli
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Daniele De Rossi does not intend to risk Evan Ndicka tomorrow as the Giallorossi prepare to face Napoli in another must-win Serie A fixture.

The Ivorian defender has missed the past two weeks of action due to a collapsed lung suffered on 14 April at the Dacia Arena in Friuli.

Over recent days, Ndicka made steady progress in his recovery and was included in yesterday’s group training for the first time since the health scare from a couple of weeks ago.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma’s state of defensive emergency (Smalling remains out with an injury and Diego Llorente is suspended) will force De Rossi to reconsider Ndicka’s availability for Sunday’s game.

The player may end up being called up but is unlikely to get any minutes. In his place, Dean Huijsen is ready to start alongside Gianluca Mancini.

The newspaper claims De Rossi wants to rely on Ndicka for the upcoming Europa League showdown with Bayer Leverkusen: the manager trusts Ndicka’s experience playing against this year’s German champions and considers a valuable addition to his ideal starting line-up.

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MatchDay 14
2 Dec 21:45
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Atalanta
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