Nice defender Dante says he is looking forward to catching up with Paris Saint-Germain captain and former international teammate Thiago Silva after Sunday's crunch Ligue 1 summit clash at Parc des Princes.
The former Brazil international has played an influential role for Lucien Favre's vibrant young side in their climb into Le Championnat's top spot and the South American's experience will be needed in the capital this weekend to keep the in-form Edinson Cavani at bay.
Speaking with Agence France Presse ahead of the showdown encounter, Dante admitted he is looking forward to crossing paths with the man who was Brazil captain when both were in the host nation's squad for the ill-fated 2014 World Cup campaign.
"Thiago called me when I arrived in Nice and we will catch up after the match," the 33-year-old said. "He is a mate, a very nice guy, one of the best defenders in the world and he was my captain [with Brazil]."
Dante acknowledged PSG's recent poor results -- a 3-0 mauling away at Montpellier in Ligue 1 and a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League -- but the former Bayern Munich, Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg man paid little attention to those matches.
"I know when the big teams are struggling, they hit back," said the man from Salvador. "It is pointless watching and analysing the video of Montpellier's win because that was not the true PSG.
"We must be vigilant. We have had a quiet week. It is good to be excited by the prospect of playing at Parc des Princes, a beautiful venue against some of the best players in the world.
"However, at the end of the day, this is just one football match and it can only bring us three points and nothing more."
Even if Nice are beaten by PSG in the capital on Sunday, they will remain one point ahead of Unai Emery's men, though Monaco moved ahead of them overnight after Leonardo Jardim's men won away to Bordeaux on Saturday.