Fonseca ready for 'special' Braga return

The Giallorossi were drawn to face the Portuguese side in the last-32 of the competition on Monday afternoon – which also threw up a number of other interesting match-ups.

For Fonseca, the tie does not just mean a return to his homeland – but a contest against one of his former sides, having coached Braga during the 2015-16 season.

“Braga are a good side who did really well during the group stage,” Fonseca said.

“They are a side I know well, just as I know the coach there well too, so you can trust me when I say it will be a tough tie - because I know what I’m talking about.

“They are a young side but they play good football. Braga are an ambitious club making good progress and we cannot make the mistake of thinking that qualifying for the next round will be straightforward.

“I’m not hiding the fact that it will be a special game for me personally, considering I coached there and I have a lot of friends at the club too.”

Braga currently sit fourth in the Portuguese top flight. They qualified along with Leicester City from Group G in Europe, both sides finishing level on 13 points.

The two games will take place on February 18 and 25 next year.