The halftime whistle had just blown at De Grolsch Veste, FC Twente leading AZ Alkmaar 3-1 in a gripping Eredivisie clash. The players trudged off the pitch, their boots heavy, their breaths visible in the chilly December air.
Twente's red-clad fans chanted loudly, their banners waving, while AZ Alkmaar's traveling supporters in red and white clapped their team off, their voices steady despite the scoreline.
The floodlights cast a sharp glow over the empty pitch, the tension lingering as the teams headed to their dressing rooms.
In the AZ Alkmaar dressing room, the air was thick with frustration. The players sat on the benches, their kits soaked with sweat, water bottles scattered around.
Gertjan Verbeek stood at the center with his arms crossed and his face stern but focused. The whiteboard behind him showed a rough sketch of the pitch, arrows and X's marking Twente's counterattacking patterns.
