Recovery and Routine

The following morning, before most of the academy had even stirred, Amani checked in at FC Utrecht's rehabilitation suite. Coach Pronk had spotted a slight roll to his right ankle after Saturday's frenetic Eredivisie finale and wanted it reinforced before regular training with the senior team.

The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and metal, cool lights overhead gleaming on the chrome of weight machines and the mirror-lined walls. On a table nearby, a bag of ice whispered condensation, and he flexed his aching left knee, remembering its slight wobble after that last heavy drill.

As he eased onto the treatment table, he could feel the warm hands of the physiotherapist applying a soothing rub to his quadriceps – fingers working magic on muscle fibers that still felt stiff from yesterday's session. His skin flushed under the rub, and for a moment, a jolt of heat chased away the deep, tired chill that had settled in his bones.