Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has questioned the relevance of playing countries with as little pedigree as San Marino, after Germany's 8-0 mauling of the minnows on Friday night.

The world champions thrashed San Marino at the Serravalle stadium in a World Cup qualifying Group C game, and Muller spoke about whether his decorated side should be playing against teams such as the microstate.

The 27-year-old forward said: 'Matches like the one against San Marino have nothing to do with professional football.

Thomas Muller (left) has questioned the relevance of playing countries such as San Marino

San Marino's Marco Berardi (right) vies for the ball with Germany's Muller on Friday night

DOES HE HAVE A POINT? SAN MARINO'S LAST FIVE RESULTS FRI: Croatia 10-0 San Marino WQE: San Marino 0-1 Azerbaijan WQE: Northern Ireland 4-0 San Marino WQE: Norway 4-1 San Marino WQE: San Marino 0-8 Germany Advertisement

'I do not understand the meaning of games such as these, more so with such a busy schedule.

'I understand it for them, especially playing against the world champions, I also understand that we can only defend with hard work.

'Precisely for this reason, however, I wonder if these are not games that lead to unnecessary risks.'

Werder Bremen's 21-year-old former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry scored a debut hat-trick as a largely second-string Germany landed the victory.

The Germans have now made their best-ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign with four straight wins and no goals conceded.

It was always likely to be a one-sided game as the world champions, second in the rankings, took on a team 199 places below them.

It was a night to remember for Serge Gnabry as he scored a hat-trick on his Germany debut

Sami Khedira gave Germany the lead after just seven minutes as an easy night unfolded

The Germany players celebrated in muted fashion after defender Jonas Hector's first goal

Sami Khedira opened the German account after seven minutes, before Gnabry netted three, Jonas Hector grabbed a brace, Mattia Stefanelli conceded an own goal and Kevin Volland also scored.

Muller's words are said to have riled his hosts of Friday night, despite San Marino sitting rock bottom of their Russia 2018 qualifying pool with no points from their four games played.

Germany face Italy away in an international friendly held at the San Siro on Tuesday night.