Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho was hailed by his club president, players and the Italian media after masterminding victory over his former club Chelsea.
The 'Special One' oversaw 'The Perfect Night' according to Gazzetta dello Sport, while Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack admitted there was 'no answer' to Inter's performance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Inter president Massimo Moratti told Press Association Sport: "He is very good and very professional.
"The secret about Mourinho is that he is very serious about football and is a very professional man.
"This result comes from his work over many, many days. I don't know if it shows that Chelsea were right or wrong [to allow Mourinho to leave], the main thing is that I hope he can continue with us for a long time in this way."
Samuel Eto'o, who scored the winner against Carlo Ancelotti's men, has seen Mourinho give Inter the belief to win the Champions League.
"Inter are a great side of champions and when we play at the level we did against Chelsea we can win in any stadium," said the Cameroon striker.
Inter was defending a lead from the San Siro but Mourinho chose to field three forwards, with Eto'o one of the wide men who also had defensive duties.
"The coach told me two days ago I would be playing in that position," he added. "It is a sacrifice for the team that I must make and we are all very happy."
Centre-back Lucio, who will miss the first leg of the quarter-final after his yellow card against Chelsea, agreed with Eto'o.
"Yes, we can win the Champions League," the Brazilian said on Sky Sport Italia. "I think we all do important work together.
"Sacrifice is Inter's strength. The character of this team is an extra weapon.
"We were fantastic here, we poured our hearts into it, and that's important."
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar also felt Mourinho's tactics were the key to progressing.
"It was not easy to face a team like Chelsea knowing one goal was enough for them but we played a perfect game and the coach did a wonderful job by choosing the best possible tactics to beat them," he said.
"The most important thing, however, is that we took to the pitch without fear. We played our own game, showing everybody how strong and united our group is, and had several chances to score."
Midfielder Esteban Cambiasso insists the club can win its first European Cup since 1965, although he is cautious about looking further than the last eight.
He said: "We're thrilled because we've eliminated a very strong team, a team that had a chance to go all the way.
"However, we're fully aware there is still much to do. We're only at the quarter-finals. Obviously we're happy with what we've done and the way we did it, but we know we still haven't achieved anything."