Sergio Conceicao has insisted that AC Milan's history in the Champions League will not help them win games in this year's competition ahead of their clash with Girona on Wednesday.
Only Real Madrid (15) have won the league more times than Milan (seven), although the Rossoneri's last victory came against Liverpool in the 2006-07 season.
Since that victory at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Milan's best performance in the Champions League came in 2022-2023, when they were defeated in the semi-finals by rivals Inter.
But they have impressed in their first six games in the competition this season, sitting 12th in the 36-team table but just a point behind the automatic knockout places.
Milan have won their last four Champions League games – in the two previous seasons they have strung together runs of five or more wins in a row, reaching the final (six in a row in 1992-93, five in 2004-05) , although they did come second both times.
However, Conceicao's side are struggling to ensure they will be among Europe's elite next year, finishing eighth in Serie A and nine points clear of the top four.
Prior to their draw with Girona, Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana, but have since won just one of their next three league matches on their return home, the latter of which saw them beat Juventus 2–0 at the Allianz Stadium.
“I think every match is different. It is true that participating in the best club competition in the world is always a huge motivation,” Conceicao told reporters.
“Big teams like Milan have to work every year to be there. In the competition we work on the right continuity to be there again at the end of the year.
“The jerseys don't play, the trophies on the pitch count for nothing. It's the players who go on the pitch. Not just in the Champions League, that applies to all trophies.”
Conceicao could also be without Christian Pulisic for the match at San Siro after missing last Saturday's match against Thiago Motta's side due to a muscle problem.
In Serie A, no player has been involved in more goals for Milan this season than Pulisic (nine), while only Rafael Leao (35) has created more chances than the American (33).
“Christian will stay with us, we have training tomorrow morning, let's see how it goes,” Conceicao added.
“I don't want to risk losing him for a month or two. He could be on the bench, but it's better not to risk that.”
Milan supporters have often protested against the club's owners this season, but Conceicao wants the fans to get behind the team.
“They have to support us, they have to be the twelfth man, or better said, the first. Without them the club doesn't exist,” Conceicao said.
“Without the soul of the fans there is no club. I will do everything, the players will do everything, but we need their support.”
Girona, meanwhile, sit 30th in the Champions League with three points, knowing Wednesday's defeat will end their first European season at the first hurdle.
They have lost five of their six Champions League games this season (W1). The only Spanish team to lose six times in one season was Villarreal in 2011/2012.
A win for Milan would guarantee their place in the play-offs, but they are aiming for a top eight finish, which would allow them to automatically qualify for the last 16.
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