In the eighty-first minute, AZ's frustration at this tactical manipulation reached breaking point.
After Amani had once again drawn multiple defenders before releasing a teammate into space with a perfectly weighted pass, Jozy Altidore delivered a late challenge that sent the teenager sprawling for what seemed like the tenth time in his brief appearance.
Another yellow card was produced, but more significantly, the Utrecht bench erupted in unified protest.
Assistant coaches, substitutes, and support staff all voiced their displeasure at what they perceived as a deliberate strategy to intimidate their youngest player through excessive physicality.
On the pitch, Utrecht's players formed a protective circle around Amani as he picked himself up once again.
The message was clear: this wasn't just about defending a teammate; it was about establishing a principle that targeting a fifteen-year-old with deliberate physicality crossed an ethical line regardless of the competitive context.
