season 2 was just bad for everyone because all parties excepted the team to improve after winning the title & that didn't happen.
First time in a long time he probably didn't defend his league title, was a new & frustrating experience for him.
Couple that with silly mistakes in the CL even...
He knows a few games off the bench will help him at the end of the season assuming he doesn't pick up any injuries & at the WC.
It was made easier too by him being injured.