Colo Colo gets good news: Romero and Villagra on the mend ahead of Huachipato clash

The rout of Audax Italiano left everyone happy at Macul, but it also left a couple of scares that had the coaching staff on edge. That worry, at least for now, is starting to fade: Colo Colo received two pieces of welcome news this Monday just before facing Huachipato this weekend in the Liga de Primera.

The first relief comes with a name and a surname: Maximiliano Romero. The forward had been left out of the match against the itálicos after feeling discomfort midweek against Union Espanola in the Copa Chile matchup. The issue, a muscle overload in his right knee, set off alarm bells at a time when the team needed all of its attackers available. But according to radio station ADN, "Maxi" was back on the training field this Monday at the Monumental and should now be available for Fernando Ortiz to consider for the match against the steelworkers.

This is no small thing given what Romero means to the "Cacique" offense this season, with the team stretching its lead at the top of the table and in no mood to ease up now.

Villagra breathes easy after the scare

The second piece of good news came on the defensive side. Jonathan Villagra had to be substituted in the 74th minute against Audax due to physical discomfort that raised concern at the time, especially since the center back grabbed at his knee as he went down. After undergoing medical exams at Clinica MEDS, the player himself played down the situation.

All things considered it turned out fine. For what could have been something more serious, it went well for me, so I'm thankful. We'll see how the week goes and whether we're ready for the weekend.Jonathan Villagra

The defender also described those hours of uncertainty, when the fact that he had never had problems in that area before led him to fear the worst.

I woke up feeling fine today, so hopefully everything turns out well. I got scared, I'd never had knee problems before and I landed badly. I was really worried. The good thing is it's already passed and it's nothing serious.Jonathan Villagra

Neither case is fully closed, since both players will need to be evaluated day by day throughout the week to track their progress. Even so, the outlook looks considerably brighter than it did just a few hours ago for Fernando Ortiz, who needs to keep his squad as complete as possible at this stage of the tournament. With Romero regaining his training rhythm and Villagra ruling out anything serious with his knee, Colo Colo arrives with room to calmly plan for Huachipato's visit, an opponent that always makes things difficult but one the league leader wants to dispatch without any scares to keep stretching its advantage atop the table.