In the draw made this week, Benfica will be facing former FC Porto manager André Villas Boas, who led the Russians to five wins out of six in the group stages of the competition.
The Europa League draw brought some tough opposition for two of Portugal’s three representatives. Sporting de Braga will face Sion of Switzerland, FC Porto have been paired with Borussia Dortmund while Sporting will have to see off a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen in order to progress to the final 16.