Sergio Conceicao hopes AC Milan can overcome their recent difficulties and rediscover their "passion and desire" in the Milan derby on Sunday.

Conceicao started his time as Milan coach with a four-match unbeaten run (W3 D1) which included a dramatic 3-2 win over Inter to clinch the Supercoppa Italiana title in January.

However, a 2-0 loss to Juventus in mid-January halted their progress, meaning they have two of their last four outings in all competitions, including a shock 2-1 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.

It was a costly defeat that saw them miss out on an automatic qualification spot for the last 16, meaning they will instead face a two-legged play-off.

"There is a lot to improve," Conceicao told a press conference on Saturday. "We have to work to have the base.

"As a coach, I always have my bags packed because a coach's [life is] like that."

Against sides in the current top eight of the Serie A table, Milan have collected just five points (W1 D2 L4), fewer than any other side. However, their sole such success came against Inter in the reverse fixture.

"In [the Supercoppa Italiana final in] Riyadh, the players understood well that positive energy, a sparkle in their eyes was needed to play like children," Conceicao added. That's what I mean when I talk about passion and desire. This is what I try to convey.

"[But] in terms of the game, we are still very far from what I want. I like a compact team that presses high, with a very high intensity, that creates a lot offensively.

"You ask me if I have the players to play this game. At the moment I say no. This is why we play differently ... And this is not an excuse, because when I came here I already knew it."

Milan started their final Champions League first phase game in sixth place after a five-match winning streak in the competition but finished 13th after the defeat by Zagreb.

They will now face Feyenoord over two legs this month for a spot in the knockout rounds.

Milan's last success against a Dutch opponent in major European competitions (excluding qualifications) was back in October 2008, in the UEFA Cup against Herenveen. Since then, they have had three draws and one defeat in four matches against such teams.

"I hoped not to play the playoffs, but we'll get to work," Conceicao said.

"Positivity and energy [are important], sometimes even beyond the limit, but then we have to grow. After the first half in Zagreb, we can't go any lower."

Milan face an Inter side hungry for a derby win and in a confident mood after Simone Inzaghi's side, second in Serie A and three points off Napoli with a game in hand, secured a Champions League last-16 berth by beating visitors Monaco 3-0.

Milan, also with a game in hand on the top sides, are down in seventh spot in Serie A, 19 points off the pace.

"I faced Inter with Porto, they haven't changed much," said Conceicao. "The players know each other well and it's very positive for them.

"We have to understand what we can do to counter their game dynamics and attack their weaknesses."