Episode Five: The impossible game

Shakhtar’s Champions League campaign reaches an epic climax with two decisive fixtures against Celtic and RB Leipzig and head coach Igor Jovicevic promises his team will do everything they can to honour and represent the troops back home.  We hear the inside story on young superstar Mykhailo Mudryk, who attracts attention from the world’s biggest clubs.  The realities of war remain and we hear the first-hand account of Olena Sukhenko, who lost multiple members of her football obsessed family to Russian brutality.  And eight years on from Shakhtar’s forced exodus from their home in Donetsk, we explore just how realistic it is for the club to one day return to its true home in eastern Ukraine. Credits: Presenters: Adam Crafton and Joey D'Urso Producers: Adam Crafton, Joey D'Urso, Jesse Howard, and Mike Stavrou Sound Mixing: Jesse Howard Credits: BT Sport

Om Podcasten

The Athletic is given inside access to leading Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk as they compete against the world's best teams despite being unable to play at home - in their own stadium - due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Joey D'Urso travelled with the team to gather first-hand accounts of the extraordinary challenges in the lives of players and staff as they compete against the world's best players on the biggest stage under unprecedented, ever-changing circumstances.