Stade Français coach Gonzalo Quesada believes it would be unnatural for his side not to be playing Champions Cup rugby next season.
The Paris club had to face the ignominy of not qualifying for the Champions Cup this season but managed to salvage some pride by winning the Challenge Cup when they defeated Gloucester earlier this month.
While Quesada is happy with acquiring some silverware, his main prerogative is the Champions Cup and he would he see the season as a failure were they not to qualify for European Rugby's number one competition.
The French giants will face Northampton Saints on Friday in the Champions Cup play-off final after their convincing 46-21 semi-final win over Cardiff Blues in Paris.
"I wanted this victory of course. I would be very happy to take the team back into the Champions Cup. This club's place is in the Champions Cup, not in the Challenge," Quesada told EPCR.
"We knew it would be very hard against Cardiff and given our preparation, we can not be too disappointed.
"At Northampton, it will be very complicated for us."
Meanwhile, veteran scrum-half Julien Dupuy deputised for Will Genia at scrum-half for the match and has reflected on his last home game for Stade before he retires at the end of the season.
"It was a special week. Mentally, it has been pretty tough this year and we're going to have to play one more match," Dupuy said.
"The boys played really well against Cardiff and it was a great rugby match. It was good to finish like that."
"I'm happy to finish on a great victory. I try to take advantage of these moments.
"It's been 15 years since I started and rugby was barely professional then. The sport has given me a lot, I also gave it quite a bit. I am proud of my journey, but I will now move on."
Dupuy is likely to make way for Genia for the final with Northampton on Friday.
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