Varane: "Mourinho's confidence has helped me improve."

The young Frenchman has taken the time to thank his Portuguese boss for believing in him, as well as looking ahead to his side's clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has thanked his coach Jose Mourinho for his giving him the confidence to force his way into the first team this season.

At just 19 years old, the former Lens player has established himself in Mourinho's first team in his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu and he puts much of his progress down to the guidance of the former Chelsea and Inter boss.

"I have to thank him - my coach - for the confidence he has given to me and his help in improving me as a player," he told AS. "I have worked hard to get to where I am. I have since learned a lot from my teammates.

The Frenchman also looked ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Signal Iduna Park with Borussia Dortmund and has warned his teammates that Jurgen Klopp’s side must not be underestimated.

"Dortmund are a team that can change from defense to attack rapidly - they love to attack like that. That is their style of play. They are a great team and they have not made it to the semifinals by luck alone.”

The winner of Dortmund and Madrid’s European bout will face either Bayern Munich or Barcelona at Wembley on May 25.