Real Madrid 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points

#3 2019/20 must be Erik Lamela's year

Lamela was excellent in the first-half, but must apply that same energy consistently once the season starts

Replaced for Alli at the break, Erik Lamela enjoyed an outstanding first-half and was constantly involved in Spurs attacks: something that hasn't always been the case with the Argentine.

He persisted to pick out teammates with clever lofted passes and teasing balls forward, whether it was the overlapping Rose down the left or Christian Eriksen in space to his left. He was also unfortunate not to earn an assist after Navas thwarted Kane. His progression in North London has been hampered by persistent, serious injuries since his arrival, but Pochettino has kept faith in the player.

At 27-years-old, he has repaid the manager's belief with encouraging flashes over the past two seasons but not enough to justify a regular starting berth as part of an ever-improving side. 2019/20 is the campaign he must do so. He scored six and created three assists in 33 matches in all competitions last term, despite only 14 starts from those games.

With three years left on Lamela's existing deal at Spurs, he must develop more consistency and stay injury-free if he's to emulate the success of Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son in recent seasons. Both are marginally younger than him while competition for places will only intensify as younger alternatives emerge.