Former Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff has expressed his belief that Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is a better player than Juventus shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon.

The duo are widely regarded as two of the best of their generation in their position, winning 27 major trophies and 308 international caps between them.

They face off against each other in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final this evening, and Zoff plumped for Casillas ahead of his compatriot when asked to choose between the two.

"Between Buffon and Casillas, I choose the Spaniard," Zoff told Radio 4G.

"In my opinion [Bayern Munich's Manuel] Neuer is the best, but the Spanish goalkeeper is better than Gigi."

Zoff was a centurion on the international stage himself, winning 112 caps during a 15-year career with Italy that included success at the 1982 World Cup.