Siege of Madrid one by the defenders (although the Nationalists were far better trained and equipped). Another disadvantage was their inability to surround Madrid and to cut if off from outside help. The Republicans had a geographical advantage in defending Madrid: the River Manzanares separated the Nationalists from the city centre, representing a formidable physical obstacle. Mola planned his assault on Madrid for 8 November 1936. He planned to attack through the Casa de Campo park (on a front of only wide) to try to avoid street fighting, as the park was open country and lay just across the river from the city
Madrid Derby also the first time two clubs from the same city played this final. The rivalry between the two clubs started at the very beginning of the twentieth century. The then known as Madrid Foot-Ball Club (founded 1902), the most powerful club in the Spanish capital, kept on making mergers and acquisitions of the best clubs of Madrid, which subsequently disappeared. At the same time, Madrid Foot-Ball Club also signed the best players from the clubs it did not acquired, which also made those clubs disappear, unable to compete against the white club. The then known as Athletic Club Madrid (founded