Former Liverpool and Real Madrid goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has jumped to the defence of Iker Casillas.

Casillas conceded four goals last night as Real limped into the Champions League quarterfinals despite a second-leg defeat to Schalke.

"No club can afford to allow a player like him leave. He has said that he wanted to still be playing for Madrid when he reaches 40 and anything is possible at a club like Madrid," said Dudek.

"That won't be easy for him because one of his greatest qualities is his reflexes but he's still got a lot of confidence in himself and he is working with some of the best goalkeeping coaches in the business. The successes he has enjoyed haven't happened by sheer coincidence - you don't win the European Championships and the World Cup by chance."