Franck Ribery condemned the Europa League as "rubbish" after Bayern Munich won to keep them in the hunt for a place in the Champions League.
The Frenchman struck two minutes from time to earn Bayern a 2-1 victory over Freiburg on Saturday which, given Hannover's 2-0 win over Hoffenheim, saved them from dropping four points behind the top three with seven games of the season remaining.
And Ribery reiterated that nobody at the club could even imagine not playing in the Champions League next season.
"The Champions League is incredibly important for the team, the club and the fans," he said.
"The Europa League is rubbish and we have got to avoid that.
"The best way is not to even think about that. Playing in the Europa League is no fun at all.
"Once you know the Champions League, then you always want to play in the Champions League."
Van Gaal admitted his side had been lucky to get away from the Dreisam Stadion with three points, but was pleased with his team's reaction after going out of the Champions League in midweek.
"We had a bit of luck not to fall behind in the first half because we really did not play well then," he said.
"We did better in the second half and then were a bit lucky to get the win thanks to Franck Ribery's goal.
"But given the second half, I think the win was more than deserved. My players fought to the very end."
Bayern host basement-dwellers Borussia Monchengladbach next weekend before two decisive fixtures at sixth-placed Nurnberg and at home to second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
