Eljif Elmas
ATA
Subs in late versus Sassuolo
Elmas (undisclosed) had five passes and one interception in eight minutes in Sunday's 2-1 against Sassuolo.
Analysis: Elmas saw a handful of minutes in his first Atalanta game shortly after joining on loan from RB Leipzig. He was fielded as a left winger, relieving Giacomo Raspadori. He could also get minutes as an offensive-minded box-to-box, competing with Mario Pasalic and Lazar Samardzic throughout the season.
Option Sunday
Elmas (undisclosed) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Sassuolo.
Analysis: Elmas is back in the team sheet for the season opener after his transfer to the club, passing all medicals and declared fit for the match. He will be used in a depth role and gives them a new option on the flank, hoping to earn his debut soon and possibly even Sunday.
Fit for Sassuolo contest
Elmas (undisclosed) has made Atalanta's squad list to face Sassuolo on Sunday.
Analysis: Elmas wasn't available to play for RB Leipzig before the transfer but trained regularly after completing the medicals for Atalanta and will provide depth in multiple roles on the wings and in the midfield, competing especially with Lazar Samardzic, Giacomo Raspadori, Charles De Ketelaere and Nicola Zalewski.
Joins Atalanta on loan
Elmas has joined Atalanta on loan with an option to buy from RB Leipzig, per the club's announcement.
Analysis: Elmas returns to familiar territory in Serie A after loan spells at Torino and Napoli the past two seasons, and he's no stranger to success in Italy, having won the Scudetto with Napoli in 2022-23 to go with a Coppa Italia and an Italian Supercup. He's made 361 professional appearances in his career, 189 of them in Serie A, and remains under contract with Leipzig through 2028 even as he continues to bounce around on loan. Internationally, he ranks among North Macedonia's most capped players ever, with 79 appearances and 10 goals for the national team, and Atalanta gets a versatile, experienced piece to add depth across midfield and attack.
Still injured
Elmas (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's DFB Pokal match against Eintracht Trier, according to his club.
Analysis: Elmas is still not fit after missing a friendly a week ago, as the attacker is still dealing with a knock he suffered in training. His possible absence could leave the team with a bit less depth in the attack, although he can recover quickly if it is only a knock. That said, he remains questionable for their season opener.
Picks up fresh knock in training
Elmas is unavailable for Saturday's friendly against Bayern Munich after picking up a knock in training this week, the club announced.
Analysis: Elmas had already missed one preseason friendly with a minor laceration before returning to full training with the squad and featuring off the bench in the latest friendly game against Leeds. He has now taken a fresh knock in training, ruling him out of Saturday's friendly against Bayern Munich. The nature and severity of the issue have not been specified, which points to this being a precautionary absence for now rather than a longer-term concern, and Leipzig figure to monitor him over the coming days before clarifying things further.
On bench in return
Elmas (undisclosed) is fit for a bench role in Saturday's friendly against Leeds United, according to the club.
Analysis: Elmas had recently joined the traveling squad for the club's preseason camp after a minor laceration briefly kept him out of an earlier friendly, and this bench inclusion confirms he has fully recovered. He contributed one goal and four assists across 40 appearances last season on loan from Napoli before rejoining Leipzig permanently, and his gradual reintegration continues as the club rounds out its preseason preparations.
Travels with squad for camp
Elmas (undisclosed) has been included in RB Leipzig's traveling squad for the preseason camp, according to the club.
Analysis: Elmas' minor laceration that kept him out of the recent friendly against FC Ingolstadt does not appear to have lingered, with his spot in the camp group suggesting he's on track for a swift return to full sessions. He contributed one goal and four assists in 40 appearances last season on loan from Napoli before rejoining Leipzig permanently, and his continued involvement will be worth tracking as the club rounds out its preseason preparations.
Out with minor cut
Elmas (undisclosed) suffered a minor laceration in training and will not participate in Saturday's friendly against FC Ingolstadt, instead completing an individual session, according to the club.
Analysis: Elmas returned to Leipzig on loan from Napoli last season, contributing one goal and four assists across 40 appearances, though the Italian club ultimately opted not to make the move permanent. His current issue appears minor, and he should be back in full training shortly as Leipzig continues its preseason preparations.
Not staying at Napoli
Elmas hasn't been bought out by Napoli following his return on loan from RB Leipzig.
Analysis: Elmas wasn't a surefire starter but played a lot thanks to his versatility and a few absences in 2025/2026, scoring once and tallying four assists, 31 chances created and 55 crosses (16 accurate) in 40 appearances (24 starts). Despite that, Napoli elected not to retain him. He'll likely seek a new home in the summer.
Assists in start
Elmas assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), five crosses (two accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 3-0 win against Pisa. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 53rd minute.
Analysis: Elmas made his return to the lineup and played 59 minutes after seeing restricted minutes in his last five outings. He created two chances during that spell and registered his third league assist after Amir Rrahmani headed home from his corner.
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