With Barzagli injured, Italy calls up Astori

Published Jun. 6, 2012 10:42 a.m. ET

foxsports

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 due to 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 on Friday.

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 defense to a three-man backline against Spain.