22.02.2024Women

Eichin on Women's game at the BayArena: 'Provides a great platform'

The quarter-final of the DFB-Pokal will be a special highlight for the Bayer 04 Women. The team will play at the BayArena for only the second time since 2009. Bayer04.de has collected reaction to the game to be played on Tuesday 5 March (kick-off: 18.30 CET). Director of professional teams Thomas Eichin, who is also responsible for women's football at the club, explains the background to the decision and the Women's team head coach Robert de Pauw and the captain Elisa Senß talk about the anticipation of the players ahead of the clash at the BayArena. Winter signing Borja Iglesias also shares his views. The striker was a big supporter of women's football following the kissing scandal involving the former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales last summer. Borja also attended the last Bayer 04 Women's home game against TSG Hoffenheim.

Thomas Eichin (Bayer 04 director of professional teams) on…

…the background to the decision: "The timing fits in perfectly with this important knockout match from our perspective. Now is the time to provide the girls with a great platform by moving it to the arena."

…the club's aims by playing the match at the BayArena: “Of course, we are hoping for great support from our fans. But it's not about setting records but rather giving our women a platform in this important match and thereby bringing them further centre stage. The team can hardly wait to play at the arena. We are very excited and hoping for a successful night on and off the pitch.”

…the sporting value of the match: "Against Essen it’s not about moving to the stadium but principally about us wanting to go through to the next round. It's a huge chance for the team to progress to the Pokal semi-finals. We definitely want to take that against Essen."

Robert de Pauw (Bayer 04 Women head coach) on…

…the first game for his team at the BayArena: "It's a big step in the right direction. It's great that the fans can now watch the Women at the stadium, particularly in a do-or-die cup tie. I see that as a great stage. We are hoping for lots of support from the Leverkusen fans."

…the influence of the venue on the approach to the game: "The players will be even more motivated than before by the attractive cup draw. As young girls, a lot of them dreamed of playing at a big stadium. That's finally happening now."

Elisa Senß (Bayer 04 Women captain) on…

…the significance of the decision for the team: "We are all really looking forward to being able to play at the BayArena. It's totally cool for our wishes to come true. The decision is a very special sign of the club being behind us women and supporting us."

…her anticipation ahead of the game: "My anticipation is already really big as I'm playing against my old club. I'm looking forward to the reunion with some familiar faces. That anticipation is strengthened even more by the fact we will be playing at the BayArena and hopefully supported by lots of fans. We want to take the chance of going through to the next round together."

Borja Iglesias (Bayer 04 signing) on…

…the match being played at the BayArena: "I really like women's football and am happy to support it. Playing the game at the BayArena is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the team. I will definitely be there to watch the match."

…the significance of the decision: "It's an important sign and the right step to increase the profile for women's football and also to anchor it even more in the club than before."

Information on the Bayer 04 Women's DFB-Pokal tie at the BayArena is HERE.

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