Dunkirk head coach Luis Castro urged his squad to savour the challenge of playing against Paris Saint-Germain's constellation of international stars for a place in the final of the Coupe de France.
"They’re the best team that we’re likely to play against," said the 44-year-old Portuguese on the eve of the clash at the Pierre Stade Mauroy in Lille on Tuesday night.
"Like any team, they have weak points and strong points ... and there are a lot of strong points."
On Saturday, PSG annihilated relegation-threatened Saint-Etienne 6-1 to establish a 21-point lead over second-placed Monaco.
PSG require one point from their last seven games to win a fourth consecutive domestic championship and a record-extending 13th top flight crown.
Dunkerque prepared for the match with a 2-0 setback at Bastia on Saturday to leave them eight points adrift of the second automatic spot for promotion from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1.
Recovery
"We don’t have much time to recover and prepare but it’s been like that before," added Castro who made his name in his native Portugal coaching the Benfica under-19 side to the domestic title as well as the junior equivalent of the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup.
"We have to play with our own identity," Castro said. "We will look at how PSG play and see how we can play against a team like that.
"Everyone saw what they did to Liverpool in Champions League. The players should be who they are. But if you don’t respect what PSG are, you're not very bright."
Castro's PSG counterpart, Luis Enrique, hailed his players for overcoming a diffident start at Saint-Étienne to crush their hosts with a five-goal second-half barrage.
"I'm not happy with the start of the game because Saint-Étienne played much better than us with a lot of intensity," said Enrique who is attempting to lead the club to a second successive domestic treble of French Super Cup, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France.
"The second-half was sensational, with lots of situations and goal-scoring opportunities," Enrique added.
"I'm pleased with our defensive mentality too. We have to take these features into the game against Dunkerque."
Dunkerque have never reached the final of the Coupe de France in the 108-year history of the tournament. PSG are seeking a record 16th triumph in the competition.
The winner of Tuesday night's game will take on Reims or fourth division Cannes in the final on 24 May at the Stade de France in Saint Denis.
