It was a frustrating afternoon for the Catalan club as they simply couldn't find their way past their Andalusian opponents who ended the game with nine men.
Malaga made life difficult for Barcelona by defending deep and looking to hit Luis Enrique's side on the counter-attack and the afternoon was made no easier for the home side due to Messi missing out with a stomach virus.
Barcelona dominated possession throughout the match, but failed to create a great deal of clear-cut chances, especially in the first 45 minutes.
Barca's best chances in the first half fell to Pique, Mascherano and Rafinha. Firstly, Pique had a half volley tipped over by Carlos Kameni in the Malaga goal and then Mascherano hit the post with a close range effort after a corner was flicked on at the near post.
Rafinha also forced another good save out of the Cameroonian 'keeper when he hit a powerful effort from just outside of the box.
However, while Malaga chances were few and far between, Ter Stegen was called into action to stop an effort from Malaga striker Sandro, a chance that was as good as any in the first half.
Early in the second half, Malaga should have had the lead. Midfielder Juankar rounded Ter Stegen, but hit his shot wide in what was easily Malaga's best chance of the game.
With Barcelona continuing to push for a winner, Malaga's afternoon got a whole lot more difficult when Diego Llorente lunged in on Neymar and was deservedly sent off.
Shortly after, substitute Ivan Rakitic came close with a header and then Pique had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside. Andre Gomes headed against the bar and the ball rebounded to Pique who put the ball into the back of the net, but the defender was ruled offside. However, he was clearly behind Gomes when he had his attempt at goal and therefore should have been awarded the goal.
Pique then had a penalty appeal turned down and then Kameni made a truly unbelievable save to prevent Neymar scoring deep into stoppage time. A cross came in from the right which Kameni misjudged, he found himself out of position and Neymar headed goalwards but the Malaga 'keeper managed to recover excellently and somehow stop the Barca forward's effort.
Just before the final whistle, Malaga's Juankar was sent off for what seemed to be dissent toward the referee, but even with nine, Malaga defended for their lives and picked up a hard-fought point.