The "Gods of Football" team faces blatant unfair refereeing during a match. The referee holds a long-standing personal grudge against the coach, Anton Kovalev, which threatens the team's standing.

Critics and viewers generally praise the episode for maintaining the series' signature blend of gritty realism and dark humor.

Phil faces a critical moment as he must appear before an expulsion commission , adding high stakes to his academic and personal future.

The episode is noted for showing that the teenagers remain "difficult" despite their coach's efforts; they continue to struggle with trust and making mistakes rather than following a typical "redemption" arc.

On IMDb , the episode holds a solid rating of 7.1/10 , reflecting consistent audience engagement three seasons in. "Trudnye podrostki" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2021) - IMDb

In a comedic but messy subplot, Zhenya finds herself accidentally dating two guys at once after a misunderstanding with Gena. Review & Reception

Reviewers on Kino-Teatr.ru highlight the "live" and authentic dialogue, noting that while the show leans heavily on drama, it remains one of the most stylistically unique Russian series.

Episode 5 of the third season of (Difficult Teens), released on October 28, 2021, is often cited as a turning point where the season's core conflicts—both on and off the field—begin to reach a boiling point. Episode Summary