Max Dickov: My third Atlantic Cup | OneFootball

Max Dickov is set to embark on his third Atlantic Cup as a Brentford B player, having joined the club in July 2022. Now one of the more experienced members of the squad, Dickov is embracing the opportunity to lead by example on what is set to be another great experience for the young Bees.

The Atlantic Cup is a mid-season tournament which takes place every year in Portugal. It consists of teams from across Europe as well as the rest of the world who act to use the tournament to maintain competitive matches when their league campaigns are not running.

In this year’s competition the young Bees will face C.D. Mafra Under-23s from Portugal and two Swedish Allsvenskan first teams, IFK Göteborg and IFK Värnamo.

“I’m really looking forward to the tour, to get away with the lads it’s great for the togetherness of the team but also the games out there have always been against top opposition which is beneficial to test us,” said Dickov.

“This competition has often left us with confidence because we have always left with our heads held high and knowing that if we can do it against senior opponents, we can do it back home.

“It’s really important to play against these different types of teams who have different styles. In your career, you never know who you’re going to come up against and where you’re going to end up, so these experiences are vital.”

For Dickov, this year’s tournament is not just another trip but an opportunity to embrace his role as a senior player and guide the younger members of the squad.

The 22-year-old went on to talk about his past experiences playing in the competition and how he relishes returning as a more experienced member of the team: “My first experience of the Atlantic Cup was good, I think I learnt a lot about myself as I had never really came up against the teams and players that you face out there.

“It was the first time playing against foreign teams that were made up of mostly older men, but now it being my third time, I know what to expect and can help the younger and less experienced players in the group.”

Brentford B enter the tournament in a brilliant spell of form, with the side sitting top of the Professional Development League table and unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions.

The Atlantic Cup offers a timely break from the side’s domestic competitions and a chance to regroup and strengthen their bond as a team.

“Going away as a group can often bring people out of their shells, which you maybe wouldn’t see as much back at the training ground,” explained Dickov.

“Especially this season, playing in a league, I think everyone gets used to training all the time at Jersey Road, so it’s nice to get away and have a refresh whilst still challenging ourselves.

“To get out in the sun will be a nice change, but the standards will stay the same, and we are still going to be grafting on the training pitch.”

In 2023, the last time the B team played in the Atlantic Cup, the side faced K League 1 side Ulsan, Swedish side AIK, as well as another Swedish top division outfit in Halmstads.

Leaving with a win, draw and defeat, Dickov reflected on how he believes that tour played hand in such a successful end to the 2022/23 campaign: “In 2023 we had an incredible end to the season going on to win the Premier League Cup for the first time in the club’s history. I felt like competing in the Atlantic Cup beforehand and doing well was a real turning point in that season.

“After that tour it felt like everyone was closer, and we all understood each other more on the field as well.”

Dickov has had a stop-start season so far but having recently overcome an ankle injury the versatile player has hit a good spell of form.

He went on to explain what he’s looking to get out of this year’s tour and how beneficial the B team’s games programme has been for his development.

“I think being an older player this time, I want to relish the experience as much as possible and just take everything in which I'm sure will better my career," he said.

“Because of the games programme we have, wherever we go and whoever we play always have different styles, as a player over time it’s helped me develop a lot.”

As the Brentford B prepares for their Atlantic Cup journey, they will look to build on their impressive domestic form and return to the UK stronger and ready to finish the season on a high.

For Dickov it’s another opportunity to get the most out of another challenge on foreign soil as he aims to have a successful career in the game.