"We had a week to prepare for this match after winning the league and we knew what we were going to do in all stages," Mourinho said after Derlei's penalty earned his side a place in the final.
"We knew we had to dominate and to control at all times and we managed that.
"We knew what we were going to do at the start of the match after 0-0, and what to do if we were leading 1-0 or losing 1-0.
"It was all worked out but of course you never know what's going to happen."
Derlei was back in Porto's starting line-up for a Champions League game after four months out with a knee injury and Mourinho singled out the Brazilian for praise.
"Derlei is a special player," said the coach. "I knew he could bring back a certain quality we've missed during his injury. That was one of our secrets.
"My only doubt was about how long he could last in such a high-pressure game. I was thinking maybe about 70 or 75 minutes but he played the whole game.
"Before the match he'd told me we'd have to win it in 90 minutes because by extra-time he'd be dead."
Porto's reward for victory over Depor is a place in the final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 26, when they will face Monaco or Chelsea. The French side will be favourites after winning their home leg 3-1.
"May 26 will be a fantastic day," Mourinho said. "Everyone dreams of being in the final and we're used to watching it on TV.
"We've beaten teams from more powerful nations over 12 hard games and we'll have everything to win in the final."
