Jairo Samperio has enjoyed a flying start to the season with 1. FSV Mainz 05, who welcome Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 9 - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm
Jairo Samperio has enjoyed a flying start to the season with 1. FSV Mainz 05, who welcome Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 9 - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm

Jairo: 'Anyone can beat anyone'

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Mainz - 1. FSV Mainz 05 starlet Jairo Samperio is finally hitting his stride with Martin Schmidt's side this season: just in time for the visit of Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 9.

Indeed, the 22-year-old's confidence, much like his team's, is underlined by his bullish approach to the weekend’s headline tie. "Apart from Bayern, anyone can beat anyone [in the Bundesliga]," he told Radio Marca on Sunday.

Mainz's impressive start to the season was checked by defeats to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München on Matchdays 6 and 7, although Martin Schmidt's men responded by beating SV Darmstadt 98 in a thriller last time out. It was a game in which die Nullfünfers, with Jairo influential, rediscovered the youthful flair and joie de vivre which so characterises their attacking play.

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Muto's room-mate

- © gettyimages / Mika Volkmann

"Yunus Malli's huge ability has taken me by surprise," he added. "As for Muto, his qualities make you think that he’s going to be a really important player for us. I was the first to welcome him here at Mainz when we shared a room."

Eye for goal

While it has taken him a year to settle fully in Mainz, two assists and a goal in the league this season as well as a crucial strike against Energie Cottbus in the DFB Cup underline that the Spaniard is finally finding his feet. "I love being at Mainz," he concluded. "After taking a year to adapt, I notice that it's all going better now." Dortmund have been warned.