Jupp Heynckes said Bayern Munich had "performed exceptionally" since he took charge for a fourth term in October as the 18-time cup winners kept their Treble hopes alive by knocking DFB Pokal holders Borussia Dortmund out 2-1.
First half goals from Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller had put the Bavarians firmly in command at the break. However, Bayern failed to take a host of chances to end the game as a contest and Andrej Yarmolenko reduced the arrears on 77 minutes for BVB.
Speaking at the postmatch news conference, Heynckes rued his side's profligacy in front of goal, which allowed the visitors a platform in the game, but maintained his side were good value for the victory.
"We failed to kill the game off. If we had taken our chances in the first half, we would have led four or five and not just 2-0," Heynckes said.
"We played at a high tempo and enjoyed a huge amount of chances, dominating from the first minute until the last.
"That was our major shortcoming today and even after the break we had two great chances to extend our lead. It is always so in my experience, if you fail to take your chances and then concede a goal, you put yourself under unnecessary pressure.
"But looking at the whole game we dominated for an hour and with all the goalscoring chances, it was a highly deserved win for my team."
Heynckes, 72, praised his side's turnaround since taking over for a fourth term in the autumn in the aftermath of Carlo Ancelotti's sacking, prompted by the 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
He added: "The team has performed exceptionally since Oct. 7. My coaching staff and I have made many changes and increased the intensity of training.
"We have gained 27 points out of 30, winning nine out of 10 in the Bundesliga, jumping from second to top spot in the league with an exorbitant lead [11 points].
"We have also won four Champions League games and two in the cup against very strong opponents in Leipzig after extra time and penalties and against Dortmund today who have always a been a close rival in recent years."
German football now enters its traditional winter hibernation period. Bayern return to competitive action on Jan. 12 next year with an away Bundesliga game at Leverkusen.