Morata’s Atletico team-mates baffled by ‘strange’ celebration as they grab first win in a month thanks to ex-Chelsea ace

ALVARO MORATA left team-mates confused after his aggressive celebration during Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 defeat of Osasuna on Saturday.

The Spaniard headed home from Kieran Trippier’s 67th minute corner to give his side the lead before shrugging off the attentions of his fellow Atleti players as they rushed to congratulate him.

Morata then proceeded to show his frustration to fans inside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, much to the shock of team-mate Saul Niguez.

Saul told AS: “He has surprised us all with the celebration. He released us all to make a gesture to the stands. Joao [Felix] and I have found it very funny and it has been a bit strange.”

The show of emotion from Morata may well have come from his own frustrations after the well-taken header saw him find the net for the first time since mid-November.

That run of six games without a goal for club or country has coincided with a period of patchy form for Diego Simeone’s side who sit fourth in La Liga.

Atletico’s apparent struggles have left fans wanting more from a side which underwent a big overhaul during the summer transfer window.

Simeone has spent much of the season trying to integrate new players in a system which is more attacking than the one which has yielded great success in recent years.

Regardless, Morata understands the expectations which come with representing a club of Atletico’s stature and believes they are moving in the right direction.

“It is normal for people to want us to win. Atletico must be in the top three,” the 27-year-old said.

“We are growing and in the end what happens in the remaining games decides where you end up.

“We are open about our goals and have trained to make this a great year. We continue in the Champions League, Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.”

Some of Morata’s frustration may have come to the surface in the wake of Ateltico’s midweek Champions League success over Lokomotiv Moscow.

The former Chelsea forward found the net in the 2-0 win only to see VAR intervene and deny him a much-needed goal.

He acknowledged it has been longer than he would have liked between strikes in the wake of finding his scoring touch once again against Osasuna.

“Maybe this time it took longer to score. It is one more goal and another victory,” he said.

“We are evolving and we are growing. This is the important thing.”