Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane believes his struggles under former Coach Carlo Ancelotti has made him a better player.
The French international made only 33 league starts across two seasons under Ancelotti, who he and Madrid will now take on in the Champions League quarter final.
"Since he left, I've improved,” Varane told L’Equipe.
"I could have perhaps played more under him if I could have shown him he could count on me in difficult times.
"There was less turnover and you really needed to bring the house down to have any chance of playing again. I wasn't able to do that.
“(Ancelotti had) made his choices, and I can understand them; I didn't play as much as I would have wanted, but it pushed me to ask questions of myself and progress.
"At the time, I would have liked to have had more of an explanation.
"We have had disagreements, but we're both capable of admitting when we're wrong. Since, we get on very well.
"I needed to know what I had to do to get time on the pitch. He told me things clearly, notably that he considered me important.
"We set out again on a good footing. I try to return the trust he has in me when he plays me."
The 23-year-old is planning to now speak to Los Blancos surrounding a contract extension, with his current deal expiring in 2020.
"I asked myself whether the club was in sync with my project, that is to say playing," he continued.
"The president and the coach confirmed they had the same line of thinking. I'm good in Madrid. All the lights are green."