Sergio Conceicao insisted that AC Milan's history in the Champions League will not help them win games in this year's competition ahead of facing Girona on Wednesday.

Only Real Madrid (15) have won the competition more times than Milan (seven), though the Rossoneri's last triumph came against Liverpool in the 2006-07 season. 

Since that victory at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Milan's best run in the Champions League came in 2022-23, when they were beaten by rivals Inter in the semi-finals. 

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 adrift of the automatic knockout places. 

Milan have won their last four Champions League matches – in the two previous campaigns they’ve strung together runs of five or more wins in a row, they have reached the final (six in a row in 1992-93, five in 2004-05), although they did end as runners-up both times.

However, Conceicao's side are struggling to ensure they will be among Europe's elite next year, finding themselves eighth in Serie A and nine points away from the top four.

Ahead of their tie with Girona, Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana but have since won just one of their next three league clashes upon their return to domestic action, the latest of which saw them beat 2-0 by Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. 

"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 told reporters.

"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."

Conceicao could also be without Christian Pulisic for the clash at the San Siro having missed their game against Thiago Motta's side last Saturday with a muscle issue. 

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 owners 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, are 30th in the Champions League table on three points, knowing defeat on Wednesday will end their first European campaign at the first hurdle.

They have lost five of their six Champions League games this term (W1). The only Spanish team to lose six in one season is Villarreal back in 2011-12.

A victory for Milan would guarantee their spot in the play-offs, but they will be eyeing a top eight finish that will allow them to automatically qualify for the last 16.