Ndicka Out; Pellegrini and Koné Recovering

Evan Ndicka will miss Roma’s final Serie A match against Hellas Verona after medical tests found a grade-two injury to his right hamstring, Italian media reported on May 18. Sky Sport said the defender suffered the injury in the derby and will be unavailable for the trip to Verona, the last league game of the season. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Manu Koné, meanwhile, are still being assessed and could yet return, according to the same reports. (sport.sky.it) ### How serious is Ndicka’s injury? Sky Sport reported on May 18 that Ndicka sustained a second-degree lesion of the right hamstring and would miss Roma’s trip to Verona. Other Italian outlets, including Corriere dello Sport and LaPresse, carried the same diagnosis after the defender underwent tests following the derby. The injury appears to end Ndicka’s club season because Verona is Roma’s last Serie A fixture. (sport.sky.it) Yahoo Sports, citing reports in Italy, said the problem also raised uncertainty over his availability beyond the club campaign, though Roma’s immediate concern is the final league match. ### What happened to Pellegrini and Koné? Lorenzo Pellegrini is dealing with inflammation around the scar tissue of his right hamstring, according to multiple Italian reports published on May 18. (sport.sky.it) Sky Sport and Tuttosport both said Roma’s captain would be monitored daily before a decision is made on whether he can be included for Verona. Manu Koné is also being evaluated ahead of the finale. Sky Sport’s update said both Pellegrini and Koné were considered recoverable, leaving open the possibility that coach Gian Piero Gasperini could have them available for the last round. (sports.yahoo.com) Other Rome-focused outlets described both players as doubts rather than confirmed absences. ### Why does this matter for Roma’s lineup? Roma lost Ndicka during the derby, and reports on May 18 said his absence would force a defensive change for the Verona match. (sport.sky.it) Romapress and other outlets said his likely replacement would come from the existing back-line options, with the squad already balancing other availability issues before the last round. Sky Sport said Roma enter the last day with their fate in their own hands in the race for Champions League qualification. (sport.sky.it) That makes the fitness of Pellegrini and Koné relevant not only for squad depth but also for midfield and captaincy choices in a match that will close the league season. ### When is Verona against Roma? Lega Serie A’s fixtures page lists Hellas Verona against Roma on Sunday, May 24, in matchday 38. (romapress.net) A separate Hellas Verona ticketing page lists Verona-Roma for May 23, but Lega Serie A’s competition schedule is the authoritative fixture listing and shows the game in the final Sunday slate. The final round schedule published by Lega Serie A places Verona-Roma among the decisive closing fixtures of the 2025-26 campaign. Roma’s medical updates over the next few days will determine whether Pellegrini and Koné join Ndicka on the unavailable list or return for the trip to the Bentegodi. (sport.sky.it) (en.legaseriea.it)