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La Liga: Shkodran Mustafi starts on bench as Valencia suffer home loss

Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia reacts during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF
Image: Shkodran Mustafi was introduced as a second-half substitute

Valencia started their La Liga season with a shock 4-2 home defeat to Las Palmas on Monday.

Having been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi started on the bench for Valencia, but came on at half-time after an action-packed opening 45 minutes.

The home side made the perfect start as Santi Mina headed in from a corner with just six minutes gone.

However, Las Palmas replied with goals from Marko Livaja and Kevin-Prince Boateng either side of a penalty from Jonathan Viera to lead 3-1 after half an hour.

Mina reduced the deficit before the break and Valencia boss Pako Ayestaran made a change at the interval by bringing on Mustafi.

Valencia controlled the majority of the second half but could not grab an equaliser and were caught out on the counter late on as Livaja raced clear to seal the win.

Leganes announced themselves to La Liga with a 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo.

Also See:

Victor Diaz scored the historic goal as the newcomers won their first ever top-flight game. Iago Aspas missed Celta's best chances as a lively game petered out in the second half.

Head HERE to listen to the latest edition of the La Liga Weekly Podcast.

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