Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer: 'Thibaut Courtois is world class'

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has hailed his Atletico Madrid counterpart Thibaut Courtois as "world class".

Courtois, on loan at the Spanish club from Chelsea, produced a string of impressive saves during Atletico's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

In the wake of the game, Schwarzer declared that the young Belgian is capable of challenging Petr Cech for a place in the Blues' starting XI next season.

"I thought he was outstanding," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "He had a great game tonight. If we'd been a bit lucky and he'd been a bit unlucky we could have got back in the game and there could have been a few more nervy moments towards the end for them. It wasn't the case.

"They are both world-class goalkeepers and I wouldn't say that they are at different ends of their careers because Petr still has a long way to go with his career."

Atletico's victory at Stamford Bridge set up an all-Madrid final against their city rivals Real Madrid.