Fernando Ortiz leaves door open for Barticciotto at Colo Colo but confirms nothing

The clock is ticking and Colo Colo may still have a card up its sleeve. Just hours remain before the Chilean transfer window slams shut, and while the move to bring in Diego Valdes from Velez Sarsfield ended up falling through, another name has picked up steam in the last few hours: Bruno Barticciotto, who looks set to part ways with Talleres de Cordoba.

The question inevitably came up at Fernando Ortiz's press conference. The Argentine coach in charge of the Cacique didn't shut the door, but he didn't confirm anything either, choosing instead to leave the decision open until the very last minute.

For my part, we've never put out names of players who might come in. If Barticciotto is a possibility, until the transfer window closes we'll look at whatever opportunities come up. We'll see.Fernando Ortiz

There's also a backstory linking the two men. Ortiz and Barticciotto crossed paths at Santos Laguna in Mexico, and the coach recalled that time together with a rather particular story about a barbecue grill that never quite led anywhere.

I gave him a grill as a gift when I left Torreon, but he never once invited me over for a barbecue.Fernando Ortiz

Beyond the anecdote, the coach made clear he isn't desperate to bring in names just for the sake of it. His approach is to trust the squad he's already built, without ruling out the market springing a last minute surprise.

"I'm happy with the squad I have, the president knows where we're focused in terms of positions, and I'm at ease. Maybe a surprise comes up at the last moment, we'll look at it before the window closes," Ortiz added, leaving the door only slightly ajar without committing to timelines or names.

Doubts ahead of O'Higgins clash

The other big question mark of the week concerns the goal. Ortiz once again played coy on whether Vozinha will be included in the squad for Sunday's match against O'Higgins in the Campeonato Nacional. The goalkeeper has now been training under the coaching staff for close to ten days, but Ortiz prefers to take things step by step before handing him official minutes.

"He's working very well, almost ten days training with us now. He's in a position to compete, I'm evaluating day by day how familiar he is with his teammates. I still haven't made any decision. If I think he can compete, he'll be called up. If I think he needs a bit more training, I'll sort that out in the coming days," the coach explained.

Something similar is happening with Ivan Roman, who has been logging full minutes and moving comfortably in both a back four and a back five. Ortiz acknowledged the defender is in good form, though he also declined to reveal whether Roman will get a spot on the bench or start against O'Higgins.

With the transfer window about to close and the goalkeeper question still unresolved, Colo Colo heads into this match with more questions than certainties. And those answers, by all indications, won't come until the hours right before kickoff.