After breakfast, the Werkself walked ten minutes to The Arch, The 192 metre tall monument on the banks of the Mississippi. A team photo was taken there first and then a group photo of all the travelling Leverkusen delegation.
While the players and coaching staff returned to the team hotel to prepare for the match, Brian the Lion began his exploration of St Louis. After visiting the Old Courthouse, Brian made his next stop at the Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals. At the fan shop of the MLB baseball team, he met Fredbird, his opposite number at the Cardinals, and the duo captured the moment for posterity with a photo. Brian then returned to the team hotel.
The stands were a hive of activity and in good mood with the aroma of burgers, hot dogs and pizza drifting through the VIP area. On the pitch, the two teams looked to create plenty of chances – the setting for the opening of the newly built CITYPARK Stadium in St. Louis could hardly have been better. Ahead of the game, both the American and German national anthems were sung and then the two teams came together for a joint group photo before kick-off.
After an evenly balanced start to the game, the Werkself went on the front foot as the game progressed to threaten the goal of former Dortmund keeper Roman Bürki. Callum Hudson-Odoi gave the Black and Reds a deserved lead on 36 minutes. Centre forward Adam Hlozek doubled the lead at 2-0 (44') just before the break and then made it 3-0 (51') after the restart. The convincing lead of the Bundesliga side did nothing to affect the atmosphere in the stands at the sold-out CITYPARK Stadium.
The action on the pitch settled down from that point but Bayer 04 keeper Niklas Lomb did make two impressive flying saves (72’, 73’). Then came the final whistle at the CITYPARK Stadium. For St. Louis CITY SC it was a successful test ahead of the first MLS season and a successful conclusion of the #Bayer04USATour for the Werkself. Here is the match report.
On the penultimate day of the #Bayer04USATour there is another special event on the agenda: a visit to the Ranken Jordan hospital. The Werkself players will spend time with the boys and girls at the charitable rehab clinic for children with and without the ball. The evening will end for everybody with the NHL game between St. Louis Blues and the Washington Capitals.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
Show more
Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
Show more
The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
Show more
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
Show more
