Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo admits he rapped AC Milan teammate Stephan El Shaarawy during defeat to France.

Montolivo praised Italy and Milan teammate El Shaarawy after his debut goal, but also told him off.

"Stephan is good at cutting the pitch and using his pace to anticipate the defender and goalkeeper. He has scored goals like that at Milan, too," said the midfielder after giving him the assist in a 2-1 defeat to France.

"I've told him off many times because when he gets the ball, he puts his head down and doesn't look round at the other options.

"I think we played pretty well, especially in the first half and the final 20 minutes of the match. It's a shame, as this is a prestigious friendly, but the important thing is the performance."