Little wonder that when Lippi was asked by Gazzetta dello Sport about this season's Juve, he spoke enthusiastical about the excellent transfer market campaign conducted by the club last summer. "Pirlo, of course, was the outstanding purchase," he said. "I have been talking to the Juventus defenders and they tell me that, by comparison with the last few seasons, they feel a lot more comfortable knowing that they have a reference point in midfield, someone they can give the ball to, certain that he will do something good with it even if he has got three guys on top of him."