Fonseca confident side will be fully prepared for restart

The boss acknowledged that it will be “tough” playing at the Stadio Olimpico without the fans behind the side, but is hopeful his players will rise to the many new challenges in front of them.

“The preparation for each game is more or less the same, although this time we want to try and recreate the conditions we will face on Wednesday – so on Monday we will train at the Olimpico,” Fonseca revealed.

“That’s the only difference, beyond that it’s no different to a normal game.”

The Giallorossi will be back in action for the first time in 115 days – with the last competitive game being the 4-3 away win over Cagliari on March 1.

“We’ve had a long stop. It’s been a bit like pre-season all over again, although there have not be any friendlies and the workloads have been a bit different. But we are ready to restart.”

The Portuguese was also asked for his impressions of Italian football so far, just over a year after he agreed to take over at the club.

“Tactically it’s an incredibly sophisticated league,” Fonseca said.

“You are always faced with different setups and it’s incredibly demanding playing here, where every game is a battle in itself.

"All Portuguese fans should watch Serie A, it’s a league where every side defenders well – but they know how to attack too and it’s passionate and exciting.”