Spartak Moscow defender Salvatore Bocchetti has taken aim at former AC Milan teammate Mario Balotelli.

The striker is now shining in France with Nice.

“Balotelli is a good player, but it's hard to achieve anything when you have no brains," Bocchetti told Russian media today.

“Once, Balo threw a plate of pasta in Marco Motta's face, just because he took it before him. And there were many similar cases.

"After an Italy match, the Coach gave us a few hours off. We all went out wearing our Italy-assigned tracksuits, while Balo turned up with jeans and a leather jacket."