Lucca Benetton on Como

Today, on his 16th birthday (8th August), the Academy goalkeeper has established himself as the U18s' first-choice 'keeper, saved the decisive penalty as Palace won their first-ever U18 Premier League Cup and earned a place on the club's first-team trip to the Como Cup just days after signing his scholarship.

Having already trained regularly alongside Palace's senior 'keepers, Benetton joined six fellow Academy players selected by Manager Pierre Sage for the club's pre-season camp in Como.

For six days, Benetton lived and worked alongside the first team, training every day and joining the matchday squad for all three Como Cup fixtures against RC Lens, F.C. Famalicão and AlUla SC.

It offered a first-hand insight into the demands of senior football, both on and off the pitch.

"I think from day one until the end of the tour, it gave me a really good insight into what it's like at the top level," he said. "You see how everything is done, the preparation for matches, the standards every single day and what you need to do to reach that level.

"It was also my first time being in a first-team matchday squad, so it was good to experience how everything works."

Travelling to Como was a proud moment for Benetton and his family. But after the initial excitement, his focus quickly turned to making the most of the opportunity.

"It was really exciting," he explained. "It was something I'd always had as a goal and something my family were really proud of me achieving.

"But once I'd found out, my focus was just on doing my absolute best there, keeping my standards high and trying to match the level of the team."

Although Benetton had trained with the first team on numerous occasions since the age of 14, spending almost a week away alongside experienced senior professionals offered a different perspective.

"I wouldn't say there were any nerves," he smiled. "It was excitement because you're around players with so much experience and quality. That's what you dream about as a young player.

"It's the environment you want to be in because it challenges you to be your best and gives you the chance to show the staff what you're about."

The tour also marked Benetton's first opportunity to work under Sage, with the Academy 'keeper impressed by the standards set across the new-look coaching setup.

"The whole coaching staff are really organised," Benetton said. "They push the players to be their absolute best every day. I've really enjoyed working under the new boss and all the staff."

Training alongside Walter Benítez, Remi Matthews and fellow Academy graduate Joe Whitworth proved invaluable, with the senior 'keepers quick to offer advice throughout the week.

"The keepers are brilliant with me," he said. "They're always giving advice, whether that's something on the pitch or off it. There are things they've told me that I've been able to put straight into my game.

"They've helped me improve a lot. The biggest difference is the consistency. At that level, every action has to be consistent and that's something all of the keepers do really well."

That attention to detail extended beyond the 'keeping group. For Benetton, the speed of first team football was one of the biggest takeaways from his time in Italy.

"Everything happens so quickly," he continued. "You have to scan earlier, think quicker and make decisions faster.

"I've experienced that before when I've trained with the first team, but being around it every day, it really raised the level. It's challenging, but that's exactly what helps you improve."

Away from training, Benetton was keen to build relationships across the squad. While fellow Academy prospects George King, Charlie Walker-Smith, Mofe Jemide, Dean Benamar and Joel Drakes-Thomas were also in Como, he was determined not to stay within familiar company.

"It was nice having the Academy lads there because they're people you know really well," he said. "But I also wanted to speak to as many senior players as I could.

"You don't want to stay in that Academy bubble because one day your aim is to play with those players every week. I wanted to build those relationships and learn from them as much as I could."

That mindset carried into matchdays too. Included in the squad for all three fixtures, Benetton experienced the build-up to senior football first-hand, from the warm-up to the moments before kick-off. Seeing his name on the back of a first-team shirt was a moment he will remember.

"It's quite surreal," he admitted. "It's a proud moment seeing your name and number on the shirt.

"Helping the other keepers prepare, supporting the team during the warm-up and then being around the whole matchday environment was something I'd never experienced before. Everyone is calm, composed and completely focused on doing their jobs. It was great to see."

Benetton was also able to enjoy the experience of being in Como, taking in the stunning surroundings alongside his teammates and family.

"I'd been to Como once before, but this experience was completely different," he said. "The scenery was unbelievable; the weather was great and whenever we had a bit of free time it was nice to walk around the town.

"My mum came over to support me as well, which made it even more special. I also went out with a few of the lads and watched some of the other Como Cup games, so it was nice to experience the tournament properly."

Despite everything he's achieved over the past seven months, Benetton's focus remains firmly on what's next.

"Sometimes it's hard to stop and appreciate what's happened because things move so quickly," he reflected. "I'm proud of what I've done and happy with what I've achieved, but I always want more.

"I just want to keep improving, keep achieving things and keep doing well for this club. That's what keeps pushing me every day."

Don't miss our pre-season finale against Europa League finalists SC Freiburg on Saturday, 15th August (13:00 BST) – watch LIVE on Palace TV+!