Here’s an interesting stat plucked from half-time… It’s been widely publicised over on the blog that Michael Ballack is running the rule over the rest of the midfielders, but you might be surprised to learn that Dariusz Dudka, Polish defender, is matching him almost to the metre.

Whilst Ballack has put in an impressive 5,865m, Dudka has chimed in with only 65m less overall. Impressive stuff, although as one can tell from these heat maps (below) – they both operate very differing styles.

Whilst the Pole remains focussed on very specific zonal marking, remaining within fairly narrow confines of the centre of the pitch, Ballack is happier roaming across the whole field, covering (as they say) every blade of grass on the pitch.. Keep an eye on how they progress over at the CPI match-tracker.