UEFA Champions League Group Stage: 5 talking points ahead of the draw

#2 Tottenham Hotspur finish above Real Madrid

Dele Alli was sensational during the group stage

There is no surprise that Tottenham Hotspur have reached the round of 16. The main surprise lies in the way they achieved it. Spurs were expected to reach the round of 16 as the second best team in their group, behind defending champions Real Madrid. However, the North London side played exceptional football throughout the six group matches.

They ended the group stage unbeaten and with 16 points, finished three points above Real Madrid. Mauricio Pochettino's side forced a 1-1 draw against the Los Blancos in Santiago Bernabeu. In the reverse fixture, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eriksen played brilliantly and beat Madrid 3-1, in what was a chastening experience for Zinedine Zidane.