Why 30 Goals Is a Realistic Aim for Robert Lewandowski in 2015/16 Season

In many ways Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich side is far too big to fail. Take one of their numerous stars out of the equation and there is usually one or two who can fill in and keep the momentum going. 

Yet when it comes to the Bavarian club's strikeforce, there is one player who stands out as an absolutely necessity for any of Bayern's hopes and dreams this season. His name, of course, is Robert Lewandowski. 

Undoubtedly one of the most talented and important players at the club, Lewandowski's goals are in many ways absolutely pivotal to how many trophies Bayern can claim come May. 

So how many will he score this season? We think he'll bag around 30 and here's why.

Douglas Costa Has Arrived

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To many, the arrival of Douglas Costa raised a few eyebrows when fans tried to consider just where this Brazilian talent would fit in to Guardiola's squad. 

Yet after just a few friendly matches, it's clear to see just why Costa has moved to Munich: He's here to step in when Arjen Robben or Franck Ribery need to bow out. 

Although Bayern had an impressive campaign last season, it was clear for all to see that the team took a notable step backwards whenever Robben picked up an injury. Lewandowski's goals also took a hit as well. 

Now that Costa is in place as an emergency fill in on either wing, we can expect to see little or no drop at all in the service Lewandowski gets across the campaign. And that should mean a better goal return for the Polish international.

He's Still Not Reached His Peak at Bayern

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Lewandowski was fantastic at points last season. Whether it was his volley against Paderborn, his calm finish against Borussia Dortmund or that turn and hit against Eintracht Frankfurt, this striker had some fantastic flashes of brilliance last season. 

Yet that doesn't mean he was at his very best. Twenty-five goals in all competitions was a passable sum for any forward at this level of the game, but when we compare his goal tally to seasons gone by, it suggests he's capable of even more.

In his final season at Dortmund, he picked up 28 goals. The season before that saw him pick up 36, and the year before that, he finished the season with 30 to this name. A varying degree of numbers, but each suggests more is to come from Lewandowski now that he's settled in Munich.

There Are No Alternatives to Replace Him on the Pitch

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We're not quite sure if anyone has noticed yet, but Bayern don't actually have any backup strikers in their squad this season. 

Sure, Guardiola could call upon Thomas Muller to play up front if it was really needed, but there isn't a single player in this squad who could replace Lewandowski.

Bayern fans could look at that with some pessimism and quite rightfully wonder why such a risk has been taken, but the silver lining to this cloud is that Lewandowski will simply play every minute of this coming campaign as long as he's fit. 

He'll have no excuses or any lack of time to find the net in the Bundesliga and Champions League this year, and that will undoubtedly add to his chances of increasing his goal return.