Marcelo praises Iker Casillas

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has praised Iker Casillas following the goalkeeper's second penalty save in a week.

Casillas denied Almeria midfielder Verza from the spot in Los Blancos' 4-1 win in La Liga on Friday, before pulling off another penalty save in Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Cruz Azul.

The Spaniard's performances over the last 12 months have been called into question, but Marcelo has hailed the veteran.

"A lot of people forget that Iker has done well for quite some time and won the World Cup, two Euros, the Champions League... In my opinion, he's very, very good and gives us incredible confidence," Marcelo told reporters.

Real Madrid will face either San Lorenzo or Auckland City in the final of the Club World Cup on Saturday.