Mounir El Allouchi ensured that Willem II advances to the semi-finals of the play-offs on Saturday, even though he had to bury his daughter only a week ago. The 31-year-old midfielder reacts after the match to the difficult time and the grieving process, which he is still in the middle of.
“Nothing was wrong last Tuesday. We had training and I was taken off the field,” the Roosendaler begins. Then he was told that his daughter, who would be born in a few weeks, had died. “From that moment on, when I buried my little angel, I lived in a daze. If you ask me what I did, I don’t remember.”
Back quickly
The midfielder decided to return to Willem II the day after saying goodbye. “I have a very strong wife, who very shortly afterwards said: We are together, but we also carry on. I am very grateful to her for that.”
The club also helped him well during this difficult period. “I was allowed to decide everything and wanted to come back a little earlier, but then they told me to stay at home.”
‘Should have been this way’
Before the first leg in Waalwijk, El Allouchi was ill for a few days. Still, Willem II coach John Stegeman decided to give him some minutes on Wednesday. “I thought it was great that the trainer let me come in on Wednesday, because if I had suddenly had to start now, I would have found it quite difficult.”
Ultimately, it was El Allouchi who scored the Tilburg team’s only goal on Saturday. “The fact that the ball falls at my feet just after half time and I make it, that should have been the case.”
After the goal, the player’s emotions were released, also due to the support of the fans. “I have had so much love from the people here,” he says. “When you are substituted and hear your name, it really does something to me. The tribute from Willem II and RKC also does me and my family very well.”
Something to hold on to
In addition to his work, the footballer is busy with his faith. That gives him extra support during this time. “Faith is number one for me. We also believe that she is now an angel and she is in a much more beautiful place.”
“I can call the time hectic, emotional, but the right word does not exist.” Football helps the midfielder at this time, he says. “Football is a side issue, but it is part of my life. It is my job. It also gives me so much satisfaction. On to Wednesday.”
