If, after AC Milan's shocking 0–1 loss to Lecce in Serie A, Carlo Ancelotti was lambasted for his conservative approach, then their 1–2 defeat at the hands of Ajax—resulting in elimination from the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a 5–5 aggregate—drew an even fiercer storm of criticism.
This time, the backlash was not simply about caution or substitutions, but about a much more fundamental error: his lineup choices. And no name was mentioned more than that of Serginho.
The morning after the match, La Gazzetta dello Sport ran with a scathing headline: "Stupidity or Stubbornness?", directly calling into question the reasoning behind Ancelotti's decision-making. The accompanying editorial was ruthless:
"There is truly no justification. After watching Serginho get torn apart by Yang Yang in the first leg, how does one of Europe's most experienced managers entrust him again to face the same opponent in the second? What was he expecting? Redemption? A miracle?"
"Instead, the Brazilian left-back was overwhelmed within seconds. Less than a minute in, Yang Yang unleashed a warning shot, and just two minutes later, Serginho was turned inside out again—this time leading directly to a goal that plunged Milan into the abyss."
At the post-match press conference, Ancelotti defended his decision with calm resignation. He admitted that he had hoped Serginho would learn from his mistakes in the first leg and approach the second with greater focus. But, as he conceded, he had not anticipated Yang Yang starting the game at such a blistering pace.
"I don't consider it a stupid decision," Ancelotti insisted. "But yes—unfortunately, we came up against a version of Yang Yang that was unplayable. His intensity in the opening minutes completely destabilized us."
Indeed, over the two legs, Yang Yang had a direct hand in five of Ajax's five goals—scoring three and assisting two—completely dismantling what many had considered the most balanced side left in the competition. Milan entered the tie as favourites, touted across Italy and Europe as serious contenders for the Champions League crown. Instead, they left humbled, unravelled by a 19-year-old star whose name is now being whispered across Europe's boardrooms.
Corriere dello Sport called the result a "collapse of ideas," blaming not only Ancelotti but also the stagnation in Milan's squad management. The paper criticized the club's overreliance on veterans, suggesting that while their experience had once been their asset, it now looked like a burden.
But Ancelotti stood firm in his post-match remarks. "Yes, there will be some adjustments this summer," he said. "Some players will leave, and there will be reinforcements. But this is not a squad in need of a revolution. The core is still strong. Maldini has missed too many games this season through injury. Once he's back to full condition, our defence will look very different."
He added pointedly, "People talk about our average age, but we still have youth in important areas. It's a matter of balance. This is still a very competitive team."
Meanwhile, AC Milan's CEO, Adriano Galliani, tried to shield both coach and squad from further fallout. Just days earlier, Galliani had told the press that the club had made a "strategic decision" to prioritize the Champions League over Serie A. Now, with both campaigns in ruins, he found himself cornered by angry media.
In a strained post-match interview, Galliani could only offer this: "Yang Yang's goal in the third minute changed everything. Had that not gone in, I believe the entire dynamic of the game would have shifted in our favour."
He doubled down on his belief in the squad's structure, denying the need for sweeping changes. "There's no need for an overhaul. Local adjustments, yes. But this is still a team built to compete for trophies."
Of course, Galliani couldn't escape questions about Yang Yang. Whispers in the Italian media had already linked AC Milan with a summer move for the Chinese forward, especially given his meteoric rise and unstoppable form in Europe's biggest matches.
Galliani was cautious but respectful. "A lot of people are making assumptions. Let me be clear: Yang Yang is one of the best players in the world right now. He's the Champions League top scorer with twelve goals, one more than Shevchenko, and tied with Van Nistelrooy for the most goals ever scored in a single Champions League campaign."
He sighed, clearly weary of the speculation. "Of course, every club would love to sign him. But let's be honest—his value is astronomical. We can't afford a player like Yang Yang. And more importantly, we already have Shevchenko, Gilardino, and Inzaghi leading the line, with Kaka behind them. Our tactical system is stable and mature. It would make no sense to overhaul that for a single player."
In short, AC Milan would not enter the race for Yang Yang—not because they didn't want him, but because they couldn't. At least, not without tearing down what they had built.
And so, while the Red and Black licked their wounds, the teenager from Ajax walked away as the undisputed man of the tie—Europe's next giant-killer, and perhaps its next global superstar.
...
The international press was ablaze in the aftermath of Ajax's stunning elimination of AC Milan, and at the center of every headline was one name: Yang Yang.
De Telegraaf, the leading Dutch daily, ran a full double-page spread praising both the team's resilience and Yang Yang's game-changing brilliance over the two legs.
"From the final moment of the first leg to the opening three minutes of the second, Yang Yang delivered two goals of rare quality and staggering importance," the paper wrote. "They will not only be remembered among the best of this Champions League season, but also as the very strikes that propelled Ajax into the semi-finals."
De Telegraaf emphasized that this victory was more than just a footballing result—it was a testament to Ajax's collective spirit.
"When the final whistle echoed across the Amsterdam Arena, it ended more than a match. It ended ninety minutes of unbearable tension. AC Milan had completely dominated possession, created danger, and came within inches of advancing. But Ajax held firm. No one broke. No one gave in."
"It was an act of survival as much as it was a tactical stand."
They concluded with a sentiment increasingly echoed in the Netherlands: even if Ajax go no further, Ronald Koeman and his players have already accomplished more than anyone had expected.
"The last two seasons have belonged to Yang Yang. But now, it feels as though he belongs to the world."
The Agence France-Presse (AFP) similarly underscored Yang Yang's decisive role. In their post-match commentary, they described Ajax's early momentum as "fearless" and "reckless in the best way."
"Ajax opened the match with no concern for defense, throwing themselves forward with conviction. Yang Yang's goal in the third minute didn't just light up the scoreboard—it rewrote the script."
"Then came the free-kick. His delivery to Vermaelen was surgical. That assist, combined with his goal, was the defining blueprint for Ajax's triumph."
In Germany, Sport Bild hailed Ajax's performance with admiration.
"This was vintage Ajax—brave, creative, fast. Koeman's team dared to press high, to trust their technique, and to stick to the club's proud attacking identity. Both teams gave everything, but Yang Yang's one goal and one assist proved decisive."
The Daily Mirror in England noted the dramatic nature of the game but focused more heavily on Yang Yang's evolving legacy. The Sun, never one to miss a headline opportunity, ran an entire feature under the bold title:
"Where Will His Limit Be?"
This special spread highlighted Yang Yang's meteoric rise, comparing his maturity and impact to the legends of the game. Several top voices in football were invited to weigh in, including Gary Lineker.
"This is not a nineteen-year-old footballer in how he plays," Lineker observed. "It's not that he's mature 'for his age.' He's mature full stop. He's been growing rapidly, both in confidence and in technical refinement."
Lineker, never afraid to speak frankly, added that Yang Yang had nothing left to prove in the Eredivisie.
"The Dutch league has been a great springboard. But the reality is, his eleven goals in the Champions League—against the best defenders in Europe—are far more meaningful than his domestic tally. He's outgrown it. It's time to move."
Pressed on where Yang Yang should go next, Lineker suggested the Premier League—with a caution.
"He'd face real challenges here. It's a league that doesn't wait for you to settle. But if he can adapt, he'd dominate. Just maybe not without some bruises along the way."
The Sun also published exclusive short interviews with two of Yang Yang's footballing idols: Ronaldo Nazário and Marco van Basten.
From Madrid, Ronaldo delivered a characteristically honest response.
"La Liga. Without question. This is where he belongs. In Spain, players like him are given the space to breathe, to attack, to enjoy the game. Serie A and the Premier League? No—those are physical wars. He deserves a canvas, not a battlefield."
Ronaldo's words carried weight—not only for what they said about Yang Yang, but also for what they revealed about his own scars from Italy and England.
Van Basten, a legend in both Dutch and world football, struck a more balanced tone.
"Yang Yang's qualities will allow him to succeed in any league. But it's not about where he goes—it's about what he does when he gets there."
"I believe we're watching the birth of one of the greatest players football has ever seen. He's not just on a path to the top. He's on a path to define what the top is."
...
...
While the outside world once again turned its spotlight on him, Yang Yang remained composed—perhaps more so than ever.
At the club's request, he agreed to a formal sit-down interview with De Telegraaf, conducted by senior football journalist Michelle Vandersma.
The atmosphere at De Toekomst was calm, and Yang Yang, dressed in a simple black Ajax tracksuit, answered each question with the clarity and maturity that had come to define him both on and off the pitch.
"I'm not thinking too far ahead," he said when asked about his future amid the swirling transfer speculation. "Right now, all my focus is on the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup, and the Champions League."
"Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League is a tremendous achievement for us. For this group, it's the ultimate reward for everything we've given. Nothing feels better than seeing that effort pay off."
When the topic turned to their next opponent—FC Barcelona—Yang Yang didn't hide the scale of the challenge.
"Barcelona are without doubt one of the most powerful sides in the world. Their style, their depth, the quality of their players—everyone knows what they're capable of."
He paused briefly, then added with calm confidence:
"But in any case, we will make sure Barcelona understands that they are facing a team with dignity and ambition."
"If they underestimate us because of our youth or our league, they could be making the same mistake others have. AC Milan were favorites too."
Asked whether he was keeping an eye on his personal goal tally, now the highest in the Champions League this season, Yang Yang gave a candid but balanced response.
"Look, I won't pretend that records mean nothing," he said with a slight smile. "That would be dishonest. Of course I care. But for me, they're not the priority."
"As a professional footballer, my number one objective is always to help the team win. If the goals come with it, that's perfect. But winning comes first."
When the interview shifted back to domestic matters, his tone sharpened—more focused, more driven.
"There's no doubt in our minds—we're going for the double. We are in control of the Eredivisie title race, and we're already in the KNVB Cup final. Letting both trophies slip through our hands at this point would be a massive failure."
"I don't think anyone in our dressing room is prepared to let that happen," he continued. "We'll give everything, in every single match, until the season ends."
Vandersma concluded the interview noting what many in Dutch football had begun to feel: for all his goals and accolades, Yang Yang's greatest strength might just be his ability to stay grounded. In a season where Ajax had rediscovered its edge in Europe and continued to dominate at home, their 19-year-old talisman wasn't just scoring goals—he was setting the tone.