Not only is Nicole Kozlova a prolific goal scorer, but she is also a talented data scientist. We asked the City forward to combine both her talents and reflect on her debut campaign through a data-driven lens.
After reflecting on the numbers, the Ukrainian international – who finished last season as our top goal scorer with 23 across all competitions – penned the below piece. In it, she highlights the aspects of her game where she excelled and the areas for improvement.
“For those who don’t know, I am also a football data scientist. One could say I am a little bit of a nerd. I’ve always loved maths and programming, and thankfully, I’ve found a way to bring that world together with my biggest passion: football. Glasgow City have supported me with that, so here’s a little insight into my first season at the club.
“Who am I as a player? The first words that come to mind is driven and passionate. I’m always looking for ways to improve. That could mean hours of video analysis, extra training, constant feedback from coaches and teammates, or diving deep into the numbers. Data helps me see the game from a different angle. It’s not just about what I did, but how I did it, and where I can push myself next.
“There are three areas where I was happy with how I performed: scoring, pressing and deep runs.
“The fun part – putting the ball in the back of the net – came to fruition because my teammates were often able to find me in the box where I then created opportunities on goal.
“I’m really happy with how I became a real presence in the box. Whether it was getting on the end of passes, finding space, or making the most of my touches in dangerous areas, the numbers reflected that this was a big part of my game.
“The same can be said about finishing. My output, whether measured through expected goals on target, shot conversion, or actual goals scored, held up really well against others in the league. It’s always reassuring to see the data back up what I’ve been working hard on behind the scenes, but it also gives me motivation. The goal is to keep pushing and to keep refining.
“Pressing, the work done off the ball, is something I take a lot of pride in. If I can press with intensity and make the lives of our opponents difficult, then I am doing my job and helping the rest of the team.
“It may not always lead to me winning the ball, but decisions the opposition have to make under pressure can lead to more mistakes, which hopefully leads to us gaining possession.
“We all know pressing is not a one-player job. It requires every single player to work together as a unit.
“Making runs in behind is something I genuinely love. It’s part instinct, part timing, and made even better when you’re playing with a backline and midfield like the one we have at City. When it clicks, and the pass meets the run, it can lead to me finding myself with plenty of space to run at in the attacking half. What more could you want as a forward?
“Yet the runs I make are not always for me to get the ball. It can be a decoy and a way to create space for my teammates. If I can make the backline drop, there may then be gaps in midfield which we can go on and expose.
“Like I already said, I am always looking at things I can continuously work on. Going into the new season, my second in City colours, I already have things in mind which I want to get better at.
“During last season, it was the first time in a while that I found myself playing as a lone striker. Holding up the ball up and linking the play are vital roles of being a nine.
“Early on, I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy. But over the course of the season, things started to click. The improvement’s been steady, and while there’s still more to work on, I can feel that I’m heading in the right direction, and it is turning into one of my strengths on the pitch. The numbers reflect that.
“And a lot of that is down to my teammates and coaches. They have pushed me, supported me, and helped me find confidence in the role. Shoutout to them!
“That said, I know there’s another level to reach, especially when it comes to staying composed and effective under heavy pressure.
“When I was younger, I was always told to go and dance with the ball - to enjoy having it at my feet and to be fearless in taking players on. Dribbling is something I love. It feels free and a way to express your creativity.
“And although the data shows that when I dribbled I was pretty successful, I hold myself to a high standard. I’m an athlete and always want to be the best I can be.
“So, if I’m being honest, I didn’t always take the opportunity to dribble when I could have. Sometimes I played it safe, when maybe a bit more risk and trusting my ability to create something off a dribble could’ve made the difference for me or a teammate.
“Next season, that’s one of my focuses. To bring that dancing feeling back, but to do it with intent; to beat players, open things up, and make something happen.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far at Glasgow City, but I know there’s more to come. I’m excited to get back to work, build on the strong year we’ve had as a team, and continue improving my own game in the season ahead.”