ITALY CALLS FOR SOME EMERGENCY BACK UP

Italy has called up Cagliari defender Davide Astori to join its squad at the European Championship in case Andrea Barzagli can’t stay with the team because of a calf injury. The Italian football federation says Astori was to join the squad Wednesday. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has up to 24 hours before the team’s opener against Spain on Sunday to replace injured players. Barzagli was injured during a 3- 0 friendly loss to Russia. With fullback Domenico Criscito having already been cut from the squad after being placed under investigation for match- fixing, Prandelli is considering switching from a four- man defence to a three- man back line against Spain.