The Catalan centre-back was out through suspension on Saturday and the Catalans struggled without him as Thomas Vermaelen toiled in defensive duties and distribution
The win was what mattered in the end. Barcelona came through a very tough test thanks to Lionel Messi's winner early in the second half at Malaga, but badly missed Neymar at one end and arguably, they missed Gerard Pique even more at the other.
Pique still receives a hard time from many, even after his pivotal part in last year's treble triumph. After overcoming a worrying slump in 2013 and 2014, he was back at his best last season and so, so important in the run to all three titles.
Impressive again this term, he missed the trip to Malaga due to a ban and Luis Enrique picked Thomas Vermaelen, a player many fans had called for in the midweek cup clash against Athletic Bilbao due to his aerial presence.
The Belgian did not feature in that one, but started in Malaga as Luis Enrique hoped he could play the Pique role. Instead, however, he struggled from the outset. Slow to intercept and beaten with ease by Malaga's attackers, he also failed in the task of bringing the ball out of defence - something Pique does effortlessly.
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So it was no surprise when he was withdrawn at half-time and Jeremy Mathieu came on in his place. The French defender does not fill fans of Barcelona with confidence either, but his introduction alongside Javier Mascherano saw the visitors greatly improve in the second period.
Malaga's goal had arrived after a mistake by Mascherano, but the Argentine was left exposed on numerous occasions by Vermaelen, described ahead of this match as "top class" by Luis Enrique.
"I took Vermaelen off at half-time because he had a yellow card and it would have been a risk," Luis Enrique said after the game. And he was right about it being a risk - regardless of the possibility of the former Arsenal defender picking up a second yellow or not. Leaving him on would have given Malaga more of the initiative that Barca had ceded after taking an early lead through Munir El Haddadi.
To some extent, however, Luis Enrique's hands were tied. With Jordi Alba out injured and Pique suspended, the Asturian's options in defence were limited and on this evidence, the club needs to bring in a more reliable back-up central defender and also another left-back.
Happily for Luis Enrique and for Barca, Pique is now available again after serving his one-match ban. The 28-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the season against Athletic last Sunday and will be eligible for the crunch clash at home to Atletico Madrid in La Liga next weekend.
And up against Diego Simeone's side, Barca will need his aerial ability, his leadership and his distribution from defence. Because while Messi and Luis Suarez can compensate for the albeit significant absence of Neymar, there really isn't anyone at Barca who can deputise properly for Pique. And it's about time he received the recognition he deserves.
- Goal