Conceicao says Milan's UCL counts for nothing
Sergio Conceicao insisted that AC Milan's history in the UEFA Champions League will not help it win games in this year's competition ahead of facing Girona this week.
Only Real Madrid (15) jas won the competition more times than Milan (seven), but the Rossoneri's most recent triumph came against Liverpool in the 2006-2007 season.
Since that victory in Athens, Milan's best run in the competition came in 2022-2023, when it was beaten by rival Inter Milan at the semi-final stage.
"I think every game is different. It's true that being in the best club competition in the world is always a huge motivation," Conceicao said.
"Big teams like Milan have to work every year to be there. In the league we are working to have the right continuity to be there once 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 only in the Champions League, it applies to all trophies."
Milan it has impressed in its first six games in the competition this season, sitting 12th on the 36-team table, one point adrift of the automatic knockout places.
Milan as won its past four UEFA Champions League matches – in the two previous campaigns it has strung together runs of five or more wins in a row, it has reached the final – six in a row in 1992-1993, five in 2004-2005 – although it did end as a runner-up both times.
Conceicao's side is struggling to ensure it will be among Europe's elite next year, currently sitting eighth in Serie A and nine points away from the top four.
Ahead of its tie with Girona, Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana but has since won just one of its next three league clashes upon their return to domestic action, the latest of which saw it beat 2-0 by Juventus at Allianz Stadium.
Conceicao could be without Christian Pulisic for the clash at San Siro having missed the game against Thiago Motta's Juve last weekend through injury.
In Serie A this term, no player has been involved in more goals for Milan than Pulisic (nine), while only Rafael Leao (35) has created more chances than the American (33).
"Christian is staying 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 months. He could be on the bench but it's better not to risk it."
Milan supporters have often protested against the club's owner this season, but Conceicao wants to see the fans get behind the team.
"They have to support us, they have to be the 12th man, or rather, the first. Without them, the club does not 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, is 30th on the UEFA Champions League table with three points, knowing defeat against Milan will end its first European campaign at the first hurdle.
It has lost five of its six UEFA Champions League games this term, winning only once.
The only Spanish team to lose six in one season is Villarreal in 2011-2012.
A victory for Milan would guarantee its spot in the play-offs, but it will be eyeing a top-eight finish that will allow it to qualify automatically for the Round of 16.
