MILANELLO - Coach Massimiliano Allegri has been looking back at 2013 with Milan Channel.
On his opening thoughts for 2014: "I hope it is like the first six months of 2013. The last four months in the league went badly, but we are in the Champions League knockout round, we are now starting the Italian Cup. There are two important objectives. One of them is the Champions League. Atletico Madrid is doing great things and are very strong. we have to handle the situations and moments that arise. When you win everything seems to be going well, but when you lose everything is being thrown away We need to tackle 2014 with enthusiasm. The Italian Cup is an objective and although we are off the pace in the league there is still time and we want to do well in Europe."
Injuries have also played their part: "We were fine in pre-season then we had for example two knee injuries and then a shoulder problem and it was difficult to have everyone working when we got to the Champions League play-off. I am disappointed we did not have the full squad available in the league. Stephan El Shaarawy has been out and we have never had the same full-backs but that is no excuse and the team should be in a different postion in the league." 
The snapshot of 2013? Let's hear what Allegri had to say: "The most beautiful image of 2013 was in Siena, but also against Barcelona in February or against Ajax. There were some games we did not lose but things could have been better in the league."
Allegri is looking forward to working with the new players: "Honda and Rami are two excellent signings. Honda can play attacking midfielder or second striker. The club is working fine and the next year there will be no need for tweaks. Cristante has grown a lot, but you have to have patience. you have to put them in at the right time, without delegating responsibility. Some young players you just have to play Saponara is back from injury and played well in the derby. We know what to expect from Pazzini. He looked confident when he came on in the derby. Matri has scored in his entire career and will be important. Balotelli has been consistent. He will be useful for the future. He has incredible potential and will be useful for Italy."
Allegri is proud of his work with the Rossoneri: "In The first two years we won the title in the first and in the second we fought and lost unfortunately. Last year, with many young players we were in third place. We made the knockout stages in Europe and I have always worked with enthusiasm and for the good of club. We had investment in the first two years but we had economic demands in the third so we had to start from scratch but we have done great things. There will always be demands at Milan."
The various formations the coach has fielded has depended on the strengths of the players and Allegri said: "The 4-3-3 has been set in stone so to speak. I used it against Barcelona in October and if I have not had the players to play it then I changed it depending on what the players can bring to the team. During the first two years I played with a 4-3-1-2, but in reality it was a very atypical pattern. Last year we were much more ordered with El Shaarawy on the left, with Boateng given freedom from the right then Balotelli and Pazzini or someone else. This year I am finding other solutions. It is unintelligent go against the characteristics of the players."
The future of Milan is in good hands: "Milan has an important future. President is back and that will only be good for the team as he has done over the past 30 years. I have been fortunate to have been chosen, but it is not the time to relax. These six months must be important for the team and you have to give the maximum to finish the season well. "