We can say that Zachary Brault-Guillard is a team player and that he is understanding. We realize it when we take note of his playing time this season compared to last year.
The right-back has been used for just 136 minutes in seven appearances as a substitute this season. He also played in all Champions League games, including a start, in addition to a start in the Canadian Championship.
In 2021, he has spent 2,056 minutes on the pitch in 30 games, including 23 starts.
Despite everything, he still found the trick to amass two goals and an assist, which really isn’t bad at all under the circumstances.
A different system
If Brault-Guillard plays so little, it is because the position has been entrusted to Alistair Johnston who brings a different profile to the right lane. The full-back therefore finds himself stuck in a situation that he cannot fully control because the animation of the team has simply changed axis.
“I’m a little more offensive and our system has changed on the right,” he explained. It goes more on the left side with Lassi [Lappalainen] who is playing further up the hall like I was last year. There, “Ali” is a little lower and it is Joaquín [Torres] which is much higher, so you have to adapt to that. These are the choices of coach and we discussed it. […] His workforce is working well so I understand not to change the eleven too much. »
New niche
Quite calm by nature, Brault-Guillard prefers to be positive in the context.
“I showed in the past that I was a good element, that’s why they extended me so it’s up to me to do well. »
With that in mind, he may have found a new niche as a “power” substitute, the kind of player who comes into a match to take advantage of the opponent’s fatigue. This is how he already has two goals to his account, even if he has a strong tendency to prepare the table.
“I’m not a great finisher, I’m more the one who wants to pass in general. Last year there were situations where I should have hit and I didn’t because I was looking for the pass. »
End of game
Nevertheless, he hurt at the end of the match. Talk to Orlando who saw him get a goal and an assist between the 81e and the 84e minutes last month.
Brault-Guillard will take every minute he can get, especially as he tries to get Canada to see him for a World Cup berth next fall.
“As I play less, I am called up less. Last year, I was called up more because I was playing more and doing good things in matches, he said. There is a good dynamic and it is up to me to work and do as much as possible to try to regain my place. »
Be paid their fair value
The tense situation between the members of the men’s national team and the Canadian Soccer Association has echoed all the way to Montreal.
Zachary-Brault-Guillard, who has six starts with Canada since 2018, is keeping his distance.
“I don’t really take news, but I follow them like any Canadian citizen, he reacted. I know there is a big media fact about compensation. I fully support the team’s claims. Afterwards, there are negotiations with those who are higher up. It takes time and it’s not easy, but we want to do it with respect and respect for our fans. »
The men’s team has nevertheless resumed training for its Nations League match against Curaçao on Thursday evening in Vancouver.
Reward
Brault-Guillard was called up for four games in the final stretch of World Cup qualifying, being in uniform for three games in October and another in February. He is therefore part of this group which allowed the country to qualify for a first World Cup since 1986.
“We qualified, we gave everything and we got the results. Afterwards, the World Cup comes at the end of the year and it’s up to us to do well. We want to be rewarded for our hard work for many years. We want to be paid our fair value. We made a big step-up, especially since the arrival in office of John Herdman. »