The journey to Enschede on a cold December morning felt different from their usual away trips. There was a quiet confidence in the team bus, a sense that they belonged at this level, competing with the established powers of Dutch football. FC Twente, with their modern stadium and passionate support, represented exactly the kind of test that would measure Utrecht's progress as a team.
Amani sat by the window, watching the Dutch countryside roll past in shades of grey and brown. The winter landscape matched his contemplative mood as he prepared mentally for what he knew would be a difficult match. Twente were a well-organized side under Steve McClaren, the former England manager who had brought a more direct, physical approach to their play.
The System had been working overtime to analyze Twente's recent performances, and the data painted a picture of a team that was particularly strong at home, feeding off the energy of their supporters at the Grolsch Veste.
