Robert Lewandowski has told bundesliga.com that Bayern Munich have an even bigger job on their hands defending their Bundesliga title in 2019/20, with Borussia Dortmund the top contenders.

Bayern claimed a seventh successive title the hard way last season, sealing the deal on the final day having at one stage trailed Dortmund by nine points.

The record champions were beaten by Dortmund in the season-opening DFL Supercup, however, and Lewandowski fully expects his former club to push Bayern all the way in the race for German club football's top prize.

"We've had some great battles with Dortmund, and this season won't be any different," the 30-year-old told bundesliga.com. "There's bound to be others in the mix as well.

Watch: Robert Lewandowski talks to bundesliga.com about the new 2019/20 season

"After the first five games we'll have a fair idea of which teams will be chasing the title with us, and probably Dortmund as well.

"When you win the title it can actually make the next season even harder. Everyone's expecting someone else to finally win it."

Lewandowski was part of the Dortmund team that won back-to-back Bundesliga titles under Jürgen Klopp, prior to Bayern's seven-season reign as German top-flight kings.

Last term, the Poland international claimed his fourth top scorer's prize with 22 Bundesliga goals - his third since joining Bayern in summer 2014 - and knows more than most what it takes to be the very best.

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"Playing for Bayern, you always have to aim high," Lewandowski, the Bundesliga's record non-German scorer, explained.

"You expect the best of yourself and the fans expect it too. You want to win everything you're involved in.

"We're Bayern Munich, champions of Germany, and need to show that we want to win the title again. That means training and working even harder, and playing with more intensity."

After losing 2-0 to Dortmund in the Supercup, Bayern bounced back by dispatching third-tier outfit Energie Cottbus 3-1 in the first round of the DFB Cup last weekend.

Strength in numbers: Lewandowski (l.) has welcomed the signings of Lucas Hernandez (c.) and Benjamin Pavard (r.). - imago images / Sven Simon

Lewandowski opened the scoring on a comfortable night for the cup holders, while summer signing Lucas Hernandez made his first competitive appearance in a Bayern shirt following injury.

According to Bayern's learned No.9, the FIFA World Cup-winning defender, along with fellow newbie Benjamin Pavard, is a great fit for Germany's most successful club.

"You have to understand that joining Bayern comes with a certain level of expectation," Lewandowski said. "But Pavard and Hernandez are players who can help the team straight away."

Lewandowski also expects 19-year-old strike understudy Fiete Arp to deliver on his early promise after swapping Hamburg for Bayern on a long-term deal.

Fiete Arp (r.) was on target in Bayern's pre-season match against Tottenham Hotspur. - 2019 Getty Images

Arp became the first player born in the millennium to score in the Bundesliga back in 2017/18, and opened his Bayern account in the pre-season Audi Cup.

"He needs a bit more experience, but his time will come," Lewandowski opined.

Arp could be among the substitutes when Bayern kick-off their Bundesliga title defence at home to Hertha Berlin on 16 August.

The record champions have celebrated the most victories (35) and scored the most goals (123) on Matchday 1 of any Bundesliga club, while Lewandowski has the most opening-day goals of any active player (seven).

Watch: All 22 of Lewandowski's Bundesliga goals in 2018/19!

Bayern's chief marksman begins his 10th campaign of Bundesliga football on 202 goals in 290 games, and having hit at least 20 in all but two of his previous nine.

Put simply, Lewangoalski always turns up.

"Whoever you're playing, you have to deliver and show that you're number one," he said. "My personal goal is always to win!"

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