Manuel Pellegrini described Sergio Aguero as one of the world's top players after the Argentine's hat trick condemned Bayern Munich to defeat to rescue Manchester City's Champions League campaign.
The City boss paid tribute to his players for the spirit they showed after going 2-1 down in a victory that he said had a double merit.
City finally recorded their first win in Europe this season, which means that if they beat Roma in their final group game and Bayern do not lose to CSKA Moscow, they will go through to the last 16.
Aguero took his tally for the season to 17 goals with his treble including an 85th-minute equaliser and an injury-time winner and manager Pellegrini said in a news conference: "I always say before this night that Sergio is one of the best players of the world.
"I think all the big teams need big players, Sergio Aguero is a big player but I think also the team played very well especially in the second half. We trusted until the end, we work, we pressed and finally we could make the chances for Sergio to score.
"During halftime, I talk with the players [saying] that we have 45 minutes more to score because they must fight to the end as it was our last chance to continue in the Champions League. That is why it has double merit, to beat Bayern Munich who played very well, but also not to fall down on the spirit. Maybe another team [would give up] but I don't think this team ever does it and we fought to the end."
The Chilean insisted he never stopped believing in his side, who inflicted a first defeat in 19 games on Bayern, saying, "No, no. Never."
Pellegrini vowed to do whatever City can in the Stadio Olimpico in December but accepted their fate is out of their hands.
"We have to do our duty. It is important. We have to play two games," said Pellegrini. "We won the first one and we will try to beat Roma away. It also depends what happens with CSKA in Bayern Munich. If they win, they qualify for the next round."
Man City captain Vincent Kompany also hailed a "special" Sergio Aguero as a player who can make the impossible possible.
Bayern, despite losing Mehdi Benatia to a red card in the 20th minute, maintained that advantage until five minutes from time but then Aguero sensationally snatched all three points for City with two goals -- the winner coming in stoppage time.
"If you want to succeed at anything, you need a special player in a special form, otherwise you just don't win anything," said Kompany. "He's our special player and when he's in that form he makes things achievable that otherwise wouldn't be.
"It was an awkward game. They were incredibly lethal and played well with 10 men but we did what we had to do and defeated a big team today."
City face Roma, who also have five points this season, in their final group game as they, the Serie A side and CSKA Moscow compete for second place in the group.
Kompany added: "What a game it will be against Roma. We will take a lot of fans and the atmosphere will be incredible."
Aguero added, "I'm very happy for us, the three points are very important. It was difficult but we are happy because this game was very important. It was a game we had to win."
Siempre pero siempre hay que pelear hasta el final. Vamos City!!!!// Always, always fight 'til the end. C'mon, City!!!
- Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 25, 2014