Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas is in a "peculiar" situation.

Casillas is no longer first choice for Los Blancos in La Liga, with Diego Lopez the preferred choice between the sticks. However, the long-serving stopper is still regarded as Spain's number one.

"I know [Casillas] from way back," Buffon told reporters at a press conference.

"It's a peculiar case. But you don't measure goalkeepers for the amount of games they play but for their quality. He'll come back stronger."

The two are due to meet at the Vicente Calderon this evening when European and world champions Spain welcome Italy for an international friendly.