Jose Mourinho admitted that Inter Milan had enjoyed a comfortable evening following their 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow.
Wesley Sneijder's early strike secured a 2-0 aggregate success against the Russians and a spot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The away goal also left CSKA needing to score three times and they rarely threatened before or after Chidi Odiah was sent off in the 49th minute.
Mourinho felt the scoreline could have been more convincing but was just pleased to make it through to the last four.
"The plan was to score before them," said the Portuguese tactician. "In Milan we scored after 10 shots. Today after the first one.
"When we scored we knew they had to score three goals, and after that, mentally and psychologically it was very difficult for them.
"After Odiah got the red card the game was completely under control.
"We could score more. You could say we did it the easy way."
Midfielder Esteban Cambiasso was also delighted to help Inter reach their first Champions League semi-final in seven years.
He told Sky Italia: "We didn't come here to defend the 1-0 win got in the first leg, but to win and not take risks.
"We played a good game and the result awards us. Now we think about the Italian league and the Coppa Italia."
CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky admitted that Sneijder's strike was crucial but reflected with pride on an excellent European campaign.
"We came into the match looking for a win. But the early goal, along with Vasili Berezutsky's injury made our task a great deal tougher," said Slutsky.
"The dismissal of Chidi Odiah dashed our hopes almost completely. But I can't hold anything against my men today. They did all they could."
He added: "I consider nevertheless that we looked good in both of our matches with Inter and deservedly had a place in the last eight."
