15.11.2022Bayer 04

#Bayer04USATour – Alonso "more than excited" by new CITYPARK Stadium in St. Louis

"This day will go down in the history of the club and stay in our memories for a long time." John Hackworth, coach of St. Louis CITY SC, chose emotional words when thinking of the forthcoming friendly against Bayer 04. Ahead of the clash with the Werkself, the future MLS team not only meet "a really great team" but they will also inaugurate the newly built CITYPARK Stadium. Over 22,000 fans will be at the game on Wednesday evening local time (kick-off: 19.00/02.00 CET 17 November). Bayer 04 head coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for the stadium ahead of the match and he is expecting an exceptional atmosphere.

An inaugural match is "always something very special," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference in St. Louis on Tuesday. "We are very much looking forward to the match and feel great enthusiasm for football in this region. The community here will remember this game for a very long time."

After the first training session in St Louis at the training ground of the new MLS team on Monday, the Werkself completed the final pre-match training session on the pitch at the CITYPARK stadium. Head coach Xabi Alonso and his players were able to gain a first impression of the venue. "I'm excited by this stadium – it's not too big and not too small," said the Spaniard. "The fans will produce a great atmosphere here at the very first game. I'm sure of that."

Alonso: "we feel great support for us here"

The Werkself came on the #Bayer04USATour on the back of three wins in succession in the Bundesliga. Xabi Alonso has seen great progress in the Werkself over the past few weeks. But the 2010 World Cup winner believes his team is still a long way from their objectives. "We use every day to help the team grow. Last week with the three wins obviously did us good. But we have to improve and take the many small steps we still have in front of us."

Hackworth: "great experience for our players"

The hosts St Louis CITY SC look forward with great excitement to their first home match in the newly built stadium. The club from Missouri have already played three friendlies in the past few weeks. According to coach John Hackworth all of those matches were "approached very professionally. Now in the last friendly before our start in the MLS we face a great team in Leverkusen."

In the clash with the Werkself, the St. Louis CITY SC team will contain experienced players like goalkeeper Roman Bürki (formerly at Borussia Dortmund) and other former Bundesliga players as well as young talents from different countries. Hackworth: "The match against such a big Bundesliga club as Leverkusen will be a great experience for our players. They will meet this challenge. A fantastic evening awaits for the players, the club club and the fans."

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