The Werkself started day two with a session on the St. Louis CITY Soccer Club training ground in bright sunshine under clear blue skies. A jocular warm-up routine was followed by passing and shooting drills for the 17 players on tour under the direction of head coach Xabi Alonso – and in front of club officials of St. Louis CITY SC including German sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel.
While Jonathan Tah and Co. trained on the pitch, the St. Louis CITY SC players were in a neighbouring weights room. The players of the future MLS side had a perfect view of Wednesday's opponents through a large window and some of them then came onto the pitch to take part in a challenge.
Five players from each team took part in a penalty shootout. The following St. Louis players were involved: Josh Dolling from England, the Brazilian Célio Pompeu, Isak Jensen from Denmark, goalkeeper Michael Creek (USA) plus former FC Köln player Tomas Ostrák from Czechia. The Bayer 04 keeprs Andrey Lunev and Niklas Lomb took turns in goal and the other four players involved were Zidan Sertdemir, Adam Hlozek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes fielded questions from American camera crews at the Werkself training session. "We are really excited about Wednesday's match at the new CITYPARK Stadium," declared the 40-year-old. On the collaboration with Bayer AG, who employ over 6,000 people in St. Louis county, and St. Louis CITY SC Rolfes said: "A great affinity has developed that we want to continue to strengthen and extend in the future."
After lunch at the team hotel, the Werkself had the next item on the agenda: a visit to the Bayer AG research centre in Chesterfield some 30 minutes from the team hotel. A guided tour through the facilities and research laboratories was followed by a presentation of the players, the head coach Xabi Alonso and the two managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes.
Over 1,000 members of staff at the Bayer site in St Louis County welcomed the Bayer 04 player and officials to the stage with loud applause and they were wearing red Bayer 04 shirts. The entertaining event was rounded off with an autograph session plus a chance to take selfies. Further details are HERE.
Five players, the Werkself coaching staff and several staff members went on from the Bayer site to the youth football club Lou Fusz Athletic. Children and teenagers were able to work on their football skills in outstanding conditions in the club's huge indoor training centre.
Most of the 100 girls and boys aged from 8 to 18 pulled on Bayer 04 shirts – and took part in a training session led by professionals. Xabi Alonso's two assistant coaches Sebastian Parrilla and Alberto Encinas coached the youngsters. They were joined by honorary captain Stefan Kießling, goalkeeping coach David Thiel and team liaison manager Hans-Peter Lehnhoff who looked after several small groups in a range of drills. A practice match followed at the end of the session.
The Bayer 04 tour party had an unusual location for their evening meal: the St. Louis zoo. Amongst over 14,000 animals from 500 different species, the visitors from Leverkusen together with selected Bayer employees enjoyed a sociable evening together in the events hall at the zoo.
The third day of the #Bayer04USATour 2022 has several highlights: In the morning there is a training session plus the pre-match press conference with the coaches of the two teams ahead of the game against St. Louis CITY SC. That is followed by an afternoon off with the chance to go sightseeing and the Bayer 04 group will watch a college basketball match in the evening between Saint Louis Billikens and the Memphis Tigers.
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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