Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone was delighted to see his team prove they are among the best eight in Europe once more.
The La Liga giants secured a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Bayer Leverkusen after their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie finished 1-1.
Simeone, whose team were beaten in the final last year, said Atletico's achievement of making the quarter-finals was a huge one.
"I value the group enormously. It works very hard, doesn't give up and always wants more. And today you could see it again," he said.
"It's a team that works well. It's very difficult to repeat being among the best eight in Europe again.
"The people were extraordinary. We have to have the same joy and passion. It's a team that may not play well, but gives its best."
Atletico achieved their win despite losing goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya to injury in just the 23rd minute, with Slovenian Jan Oblak replacing him.
Oblak saved a poor Hakan Calhanoglu penalty in the shoot-out, and Simeone was thrilled with his contribution.
"Football is wonderful because it has changing situations. Oblak was heavily criticised in Greece and now played a very hard game," he said.
"And [Atletico goalkeeper coach] Pablo Vercellone told him that the rivals were tired and that he had to hang on until the penalties. The first was decisive in the series."