Inter president Massimo Moratti today heaped praise on "marvellous" coach Jose Mourinho and compared him to the legendary Helenio Herrera.
Herrera led Inter to two Intercontinental Cups, two European Cups and three Serie A titles in the 1960s.
Mourinho last night led Inter to their first European Cup, now known as the Champions League, final since 1972 with a wonderful defensive display against Barcelona.
With a 3-1 lead to protect from the first leg at the San Siro, Inter were reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute following the harsh dismissal of midfielder Thiago Motta.
But they held on to an aggregate lead despite losing on the night to Gerard Pique's late strike and will now meet Bayern Munich in the final in Madrid next month.
Inter also lead Serie A and are in the final of the Coppa Italia.
Speaking on the club's official website, www.inter.it, Moratti said: "Mourinho and Herrera? It is a natural comparison.
"They have a similar character; great workers, great professionals, courageous and charismatic. I see them (as being) very similar."
Herrera was famous for inventing the defensive system called Catenaccio and the tactic was a major success in his spell with the Nerazzurri.
He also claimed "with 10 our team plays better than with 11", something which was certainly the case last night.
"Not long ago I told Mourinho that I believed that it would be impossible to play down to 10 players and progress in a Champions League game," Moratti said.
"But instead, it is possible and that is thanks to great character and a fantastic team that Inter has proved to be.
"We played with 10, against the world champions and in their stadium. Yet the players knew what to do in every episode, playing with intelligence.
"I have to compliment everyone because this achievement gives me infinite happiness."
Moratti is confident that Mourinho will succeed in his aim of bringing the Champions League back to the San Siro, 44 years after Herrera won it.
"Mourinho has the enormous merit of having taken us this far," he said. "I sincerely thank him.
"As it is, we are in three finals; the Champions League, the Coppa Italia and Serie A, where we have three finals left.
"It's difficult to find a defect on Mourinho, perhaps he is a little introverted but he is marvellous."